Merlen Bruce Rollins

Merlen “Merle” Rollins was born to Forrest O. and Viola B. Rollins on August 8, 1946, in Hill City, Kansas. The family moved to Ordway and Salida, Colorado before settling on Redlands Mesa near Hotchkiss in 1955. Merle attended school in Hotchkiss and graduated from Hotchkiss High School. After graduation Merle proudly enlisted in the United States Army in 1965, where he served as a mechanic during the Vietnam War. His time in the military shaped his strong work ethic and lifelong commitment to helping others. Following his honorable discharge in October of 1968, he followed his older brother Larry and moved to Arizona, where he began his successful career as a diesel mechanic and would soon start a family.

Driven by determination and skill, Merlen later opened his own mechanic shop “Rollins Truck Repair” in Phoenix, which he owned and operated for many years. After selling his business, he continued his career with the Tempe Union High School district, working as a bus mechanic and ensuring the safety of his daughters, nephew and fellow students. He retired from the district after nearly 20 successful years. 16 of these years he was fortunate to work with and live near his younger brother Jay and his family.

Merlen found his greatest joy outdoors and on the move. He loved riding motorcycles and ATV’s, whether it was carving through the sand dunes, cruising the beaches of Mexico, or crawling Arizona canyons and forests of Colorado. Some of his best moments were spent in the summers on the family farm in Colorado (bringing family and friends from AZ). He took pride in fixing, building and creating things, always ready to tackle any project while tinkering in his garage. He was also a devoted Rodeo and NASCAR fan (really any kind of racing), enjoying the thrill of the competition and tradition.

Merlen will be remembered for his mechanical talent, passion for things with motors, his enjoyment of the outdoors and adventure, country music and love for his family and taking care of his wife Linda.

Merlen is preceded in death by his wife Linda Shepard-Rollins, mother Viola, father Forrest, older brothers Robert and Larry Rollins, younger sister Gail Rollins-Acedo, stepdaughter Michelle (Henry) Mickens, niece Roxanne Cartwright (Hoss) and nephew Jeff Rollins.

He is survived by his daughters Jennifer (Robert) Benner and Natalie (Nate) Rollins-Pacheco (from marriage to Terry Falletich), and stepson Bryce Shepard. Grandchildren: {Jennifer} Payton & Kylie, {Natalie} Jayden, Zander, & Riddick, {Michelle} Ashley, Tia, Devyn & Michael, {Bryce} Steven (Madi), & Dylan and great grandchildren.

He is also survived by his brother Jay (Gayle) Rollins, and nieces and nephews; Christopher Rollins (Alesha, Molly, Lauralye, Rowdy & Sawyer), Lucinda Feldman, Bryan Compton, Clarissa Compton, Ralph Rollins, Rhonda Thornton (Jeff), and Donna Elllsworth (Keith).

A visitation and memorial will be held at Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park and Funeral Home in the San Tan Venue, located at 6747 E Broadway Rd., Mesa, AZ 85206, on January 14, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

A graveside committal service is scheduled at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 2929 E Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024, on January 15, 2026, from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm.