Roland Dale White was born in Tuscumbia Alabama on February 24, 1933 to Mozelle and Arlin White. As a boy he enjoyed riding his horse Maude and was a talented baseball and football player. There was a time during his teenage years that he was in the rodeo. He was voted best looking his senior year of high school. In 1953 he was drafted into the army where he trained in Field Artillery/Radio Repair in Ft. Jackson, SC. After training he was stationed in Germany until he was honorably discharged in May of 1955. After the army he took a trip to Daytona Beach, FL with his cousin Sammy. This trip would change his life forever! After a couple of beach days and one homemade BLT later, he had met Shirley DeSpain, his one and only. One short month later he was living in Chicago Illinois and starting his career at Western Electric. This is where he met his lifelong friend, Bill Hull who was also from Alabama. After a few visits back and forth to visit Shirley in Ohio, and one special trip for Thanksgiving, there was a ring. On February 25th 1956, one day after his birthday, Shirley Jeanine DeSpain married Roland Dale White in Dayton Ohio. While enjoying his new marriage he was also building his new friendship with Bill, which would shape his life and create so many memories we all share. Six years and two daughters (Sandy and Karen) later he was transferred from the windy city to Atlanta Georgia. The Hull family was already in Georgia so the friendship continued to grow. Bill had already sparked his interest in golf while in Chicago, so the golf course was the first thing on their agenda when arriving in the Peach State! After settling down in Georgia, yet another daughter (Beth) was born. Roland and Shirley later joined a bowling league which they both enjoyed and Roland played softball for Western Electric. Over the years there were many memorable trips to Gulf Shores Alabama with the Hulls. The kids were taught to fish and water ski and there were so many fun cookouts. While at home in Georgia there are memories of trips in his convertible to the store to get the neighborhood kids an icee on hot summer nights and the fun neighborhood parties in the cul-de-sac. One evening in the middle of the night the neighbor next door showed up at the door with her infant son. Roland had just completed a CPR course at Western Electric so he knew what to do. He performed CPR and was able to save the baby! Down the road a ways, there came grandchildren! The grandchildren all have special memories of time spent with Paw-Paw. Ashley always enjoyed going up to his favorite Chinese restaurant with him for the buffet. She also remembers all of the times that he came to her softball games (#12 just like her Paw-Paw) to cheer her on whether it was a tournament in Panama City or State Playoffs in Columbus Georgia, he and Mom Mom (Shirley) made the trip. She has happy memories of trips to Gulf Shores as well. Mandi always enjoyed sitting at the kitchen table drawing with him. She also enjoyed him singing his version of Sandman at the piano at night to help her fall asleep. Not being a fan of Burger King, Mandi recalls eating a Whopper Jr while in Gulf Shores with him just because she knew he liked them. The granddaughters used to race to be the first to sit in front of his recliner to receive a back rub! He always seemed to light up when he was around them! After being surrounded by females his whole life (which he seemed to handle just fine) he finally had two grandsons, Justin and Matthew! They didn’t compete for back rubs, but they always enjoyed spending time with him whether it was Paw- Paw watching Justin play soccer or playing ball in the front yard. Later came the great-grandchildren! Once again he had another female (Harper) enter his life! He enjoyed watching Harper play softball at the young age of 3! She was another #12 just like her Paw-Paw! After Harper, came his first great-grandson (Banks). He was a Christmas present to all of us! He was able to watch Banks with his happy little smile for 14 months. He enjoyed seeing them as often as possible. They always had a way of making him smile! Everyone has so many great memories of our loving (Husband, Father, Paw-Paw and of course friend)! He lived a wonderful life and we were all blessed to have him in our lives! He will be greatly missed, but we find comfort in knowing that he is with his maker and that we will all be reunited again one day. Thank you for being you and for all of the wonderful memories! We Love You!!
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Tucker First United Methodist Church or the charity of your choice.
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