Thomas Ray Roland

Tom entered eternal rest at the grand old age of 92 on Monday, October 13, 2025 in Visalia, California.

Thomas was the eldest son of Clarence and Evelyn Roland (Johnson) born on August 26, 1933 in Checotah, Oklahoma. He had three brothers... Orvel, Bobby, and Leslie.

His family moved to Arvin, California where he lived most of his young life. He attended the first high school built in Arvin, where he was active in all sports, and was known as BIG TOM due to his height of 6'4".

Tom's best friend was Bobby Sherrill who had seven siblings, Bobby's sister, Lillian, soon set her eyes on the handsome Tom and told her mom... that she was going to marry him. Problem was, Tom already had a girlfriend. Tom and Lillian married in 1951. Their married life together has been happy and a loving work in progress.

They are very proud of their three children, Rodney, Philip, and Brenda. Rodney married Cathy Gibson, and they had two daughters, Tiffany and Megan. Philip married Nicole Pashley, and they had two sons, Matthew and Nicholas. Brenda had three sons, Kyle, Timothy, and Andrew.

Thomas spent a lot of time involved in sports. He attended Al Somers school for umpires in Florida. He officiated football, baseball, and basketball for the high school and college leagues from Bakersfield to Fresno. Also, umpiring AAA major league baseball in California. He worked with many young boys as a coach while his sons were growing up. Two of whom went on to play professional baseball in the major leagues. He was very proud to have contributed to their success.

Thomas and Lillian moved with their family to Visalia in 1971, where they purchased an equipment rental business on East Main Street. After two years they decided to close the business and shortly after, Tom became a long-haul truck driver. He drove from the West Coast to East Coast and loved his job.

Tom and Lillian always made time in their busy schedule to take the family camping, fishing, and water skiing during the summer months. In the winter they often went snow mobiling in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Tom and Lil helped to organize the girls Bobby Sox Softball using their own equipment and together with other families built the fields at Crestwood School. They enjoyed going to the Moose Lodge and dancing with their many friends. They were very active in the bowling sport at Visalia Lanes and organized many trips to Las Vegas and Reno. They bowled in National and California bowling tournaments. One of Tom's favorite pastimes was going to the casino. He loved to get away and enjoy a big "WIN" on the slots.

His beloved daughter, Brenda Garcia/Nelson sadly passed away in 2002 leaving behind her three beautiful boys. Tom and Lillian took the boys into their home and Tom retired from trucking, so he could be on hand to help raise the boys.

Preceding his death were his Parents, Clarence and Evelyn, his brother Bobby Roland and his wife Dathine, brother Orvel and wife Ann, Brenda and her husband, Lonnie Garcia.

Thomas is survived by his loving wife Lillian of 74 plus years and their two sons Rodney Lee and wife Cathy of Gold Hills, Oregon, and Philip Ray and his wife Nicki Roland of Perth, Western Australia. Seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Thomas is also survived by many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, and his bowling family.

Thomas was hardworking and compassionate, he taught his family the value of perseverance, the importance of kindness and the strength of integrity.

He is loved and will be greatly missed by all...