Roland E. Klar, Jr.

Roland E. Klar, Jr. descended from two families of early San Antonio settlers. He was proud of his German heritage and loved doing the detective work involved in genealogy research. He spent early summers experiencing ranch life at his grandparents' place in Helotes, deer hunting, woodworking and swimming in the creek.

He strongly believed in volunteerism and community service. He was involved in Boy Scouts starting in 1939, earned the Eagle Scout award, organized Explorer Post 15 and volunteered in scout activities until 1970. He became a Life Member of the National Eagle Scout Association in 1995.

He served in the Army of Occupation from 1945 to 1946. He was called up again to serve during the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1952.

For 41 years, Roland worked at the Texas Highway Department, later known as TXDOT. He was first a draftsman and was later tapped to fill the newly created position of Traffic Safety Specialist.

He helped to organize a credit union for highway department employees, chairing several committees and the board of directors. He served the organization, which became Texas Transportation Federal Credit Union and then merged with Greater Texas Federal Credit Union, from 1960 to 1997.

Roland also served Westminster Presbyterian Church as a deacon and elder from 1950 to 1966. He moved his membership to Forest Hills Presbyterian Church where he served as elder, building committee chairman and in other construction related positions from 1972 to 1996.

He was never at a loss for something to do in his retirement. Remembering his fondness for ranch life, he and his wife found their own hundred acres of paradise outside Kerrville. Once again he was deer hunting, cutting cedar, and building sheds and contraptions.

In his autobiography, The First Seventy Years, Roland said, "I like history but do not live in the past . . . keep moving forward." This has become our family motto.

He was married for 63 years to Joyce Westbrook Klar, the absolute love of his life, who now leads the charge in his stead. Along with Joyce, his immediate family includes four daughters and their spouses: Debbie Klar Johnson and Doug, Amy Klar Lazar and Jerry, Floy Klar Melzow and Mike, and Linda Rose Klar and Joe P. Reynolds.

Grandchildren include Jillanne Johnson and her husband Christopher, Adam Lazar and his wife Jenn, Westbrook Johnson, Brian Lazar, Christopher Lazar and Laura Floy Melzow.

VISITATION

SUNDAY

OCT. 16

5:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING

1101 McCULLOUGH

Please join us for a celebration of his life and many accomplishments at a memorial service on

MONDAY

OCT. 17

3:00 P.M.

FOREST HILLS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

13200 BANDERA ROAD

HELOTES, TX 78023

We know he would have appreciated any tributes or memorials to be in the form of a donation to the Boy Scouts of America, Alamo Area, 2226 NW Military SW, San Antonio, TX 78213.

Our family is so grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support in the form of cards, phone calls, e-mails, visits, food and prayers. So many people tell us how much our father influenced their lives. You have taught us a new sense of what it means to be supportive. Please accept our sincere thanks. And keep moving forward.