Mr. Ronald Phillip Roland Sr.

ROLAND, Mr. Ronald Phillip Sr. - Age 68, passed away Thursday, November 20, 2014 at his residence. Family hour 10 a.m. Monday, December 1, 2014 at Vernon Chapel AME Church, 5802 Dupont St., with funeral service commencing at 11 a.m. Pastor Byron C. Moore officiating. Interment Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Rd., Holly, MI. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10 a.m. Monday. Mr. Roland will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd., and may be viewed from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday with family present from 2-6p.m. Mr. Ronald Phillip Roland was born March 10, 1946 in Detroit, Michigan the son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah (Glenora) Roland. Mr. Roland was a graduate of Flint Central High School, “Class of 1964.” He acquired the skill of cutting hair by attending Michigan Barber School in Detroit, Michigan. A skill he later used while serving his country in the United States Army while attending Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Mr. Roland completed Nike-Hercules Warhead pre-fire course in Europe and provided grounds security in Aberdeen, Maryland. He also served his country overseas being stationed in Germany and Italy. After serving four years, First Lieutenant Ronald P. Roland received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army in 1969. Mr. Roland was a lifelong member of Vernon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where he served on the Steward Board, Lay Organization and sang in the Senior Adult Choir. Mr. Roland served as President of Richard Allen Economic Development Corporation. Mr. Roland was employed as a Community Developer and worked as the Executive Director of the Flint Neighborhood Improvement Preservation Program better known as Flint NIPP. He also worked had a passion for community development and was currently the President/Chief Executive Officer of RPR Development Group, Inc. where his responsibilities included but was not limited to corporate activities such as consulting services for non-profit and profit entities, Residential and Commercial building and renovation from design to completion of construction. He assisted in securing funding through preparation of grant applications for non-profits and financial packaging for profit entities. He also worked with Dailey-Dolan East Neighborhood Organization, Inc. Mr. Roland also retired as an Insurance Agent with American United Life Insurance Company. Mr. Ronald P. Roland united in Holy Matrimony to Versie Roland and to this union was born one son. He leaves to cherish his memory: son, Ronald P. Roland II; grandson, Ronald P. Roland III; brother, Leslie M. (Ladine) Roland; sister, Carolyn G. Roland (Kevin Smith); nieces and nephews, Rev C. Monique Turner, Tracy Harris, Rev. Autwan (Kimberly) Roland, Damani Moore, Bisharrah Roland, Mikal Roland and Mr. & Mrs. Brandon (Jennifer) Sanders; uncles, Lillard Gonzales, George Gonzales; aunt, Helen Gonzales; a host of other relatives and friends including the Roland, Brandon, Gonzales and Ross families and special friend, Ms. Tommie Jean Standokes. Mr. Ronald P. Roland was preceded in death by parents, Mr. Isaiah and Mrs. Glenora G. Roland; grandparents, Y.D. (Lessie) Roland; brother, Eugene M. Roland; former wife, Gail Ann (Thomas) Roland; stepdaughter, Tania Thomas-Green; aunts, Helen Gonzales, Lillie Newton, June Eberrra, Erma Keith, Linda Gonzales, Ruby Smith and Elizabeth Ford; uncles; Mr. & Mrs. Oliver (Olivia) Roland, Mr. & Mrs. Max (Dezeray) Brandon, Mr. & Mrs. Edward (Marie) Bonner, J.B. Roland and George Ross.

Mr. Ronald Phillip Roland Sr.

March 10, 1946 - November 20, 2014