John R. Roland, 84, of Ocilla, Georgia died Tuesday, September 7, 2010, at his residence.
Funeral services will be held 11 A.M. Friday, September 10, at the Ocilla Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Couey and Rev. Rob Dowdle officiating. Bobby Dix will give the eulogy. Interment will follow in the Ocilla Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-9 Thursday evening at the funeral home in Ocilla.
Mr. Roland was born April 3, 1926 in Nashville, Georgia to the late Dave and Winifred Lassiter Roland. He was a retired Postmaster after more than 40 years of service. Mr. Roland lived in Ocilla most of his life, graduating from Ocilla High School. He also graduated from South Georgia College. After graduation from high school, he volunteered for the U.S. Naval Reserve Amphibious Force, serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and he witnessed the raising of the flag on Mount Sarabachi after the battle for Iwo Jima. Mr. Roland was a member of the Ocilla Baptist Church and the Steadfast Seekers Sunday School Class. He was an avid supporter of Little League, the Irwin County Indians and enjoyed playing golf and fishing. Mr. Roland was a member and director of the Ocilla Country Club, a member and treasurer of the Irwin County High School Booster Club, a member of the American Legion, the Veterans Of Foreign Wars and the Postmaster’s Association.
Mr. Roland is survived by his daughters and son-in-law: Debbie & Stan Warner of Flowery Branch and Joye Merritt of Buford; son and daughter-in-law: Bob & Roxy Roland of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren: Dave (Kier) Wood, Dusty Wood, Brittany Wood, Roxanne (Jason) Burns, John Roland, Sarah Roland, Michael Elizabeth Merritt and Mary Margaret Merritt; great grandchildren: Roland Wood, Coleson Wood, Ashton Burns, and Caleb Burns as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Dix Roland, 1 brother, 1 sister and a son-in-law, Steve Merritt.
The family suggests that memorials be made to the Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla, GA 31774 or to the Ocilla Cemetery Fund, c/o Betty Joyce Walters, 251 Evergreen Dr., Ocilla, GA 31774.