Ivan Russell "Russ" Roland
July 4, 1934 ~ April 2, 2013
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Lt. Col. (Ret) Ivan Russell "Russ" Roland
Asheville – Lt. Col. (Ret) Ivan Russell "Russ" Roland, 79, of Asheville, died Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at the Oaks of Sweeten Creek.
A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late William McClellan Roland and Lucy Evelyn Ramsey Roland.
Russ was a member of First Baptist Church of Asheville and retired after 20 years of service as a Lt. Col. with the United States Air Force of which he was a B-52 Pilot. After retiring from the military he went on to retire from Ecusta in Pisgah Forest. He enjoyed his more than 50 year membership with the Sports Car Club of America as a competitive driver in road racing and hill-climb events. He built many of the cars himself from the ground up that he competed in.
Russ is survived by his wife, Dorothy "Dot" Rogers Roland; 2 sons, Bill Roland and his wife, Pam, of Arden and Bobby Roland and his wife, Leslie, of Asheville; a step-son, Johnny Young and his wife, Jill, of Lewisville, NC; nine grandchildren, Christie, Bethany, Katie, Ashley, Rusty, Robert, Jenna, Shawnie and Jack as well as two great-grandsons, Lukas and Thomas.
The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, April 5, 2013 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Private Burial will be at Lewis Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks that you consider making a memorial contribution in Mr. Roland's memory to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of one's choice.
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Our hearts and prayers are with the family.
Dear Dot and family,
We were so sorry to hear about Russ. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Bill & Mary Dot Waddell
Dear Dot & Family,
We regret to hear of your loss. Russ was a great guy and we know he will be missed by family and friends.
Our thoughts and prayers go with you in your time of need.
Bill,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Pat, Tommy, Robert and Erica Browning
Bobby, I was sorry to learn of your Dad’s passing. We appreciate his service to our country and for sharing his time and knowledge mentoring several young men in mechanics and sports car racing. Our prayers are with your family.
Bobby and Bill and the Roland family. My heart just breaks to hear about Russ. He touched, molded and influenced so many lives which I am truly thankful for. He was always a rock for the extended Roland family. You didn’t always want to hear what he had to say but you knew you’d better listen. My thoughts are with you guys as we celebrate the life of your dad.
Dot and John….Praying for God to hold you in the palm of His hand and to comfort you with His everlasting love. May the love of Christ bring you comfort and peace. You are in our prayers. Keith and Sherry Trawick
Russ has been a long time neighbor and a ‘Poker buddy’. I enjoyed our poker nights with Russ and still have a poker table he made and asked me to ‘hold onto’.
We will miss you Russ !
WE WISH TO EXTEND OUR CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY AND TELL THEM OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THEM IN THEIR LOSS. RUSS WAS A FINE PERSON AND WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.
YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
LARRY KING AND FAMILY
Our prayers are with you. Russ will be missed.
I am so sorry to read of Russ’s passing. He was always so interesting to talk to about racing and his knowledge of cars was unbelieveable. I loved it when Russ came by the office to talk cars and racing with Donnie. He was a really nice man. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.