Harold William Roller

Harold W. Roller, Weyers Cave, died July 22, 2018. Born in Broadway, Virginia on December 20, 1931, Harold was the son of the late Edgar Wissler and Marguerite Weller Roller and stepson of Kathryn W. Roller.

He was the first recipient of the FFA American Farmer degree in 1950 from Broadway High School, from which he graduated in 1949. He took great pride that both his sons also received the FFA American Farmer degree. Harold attended Virginia Tech, where he was in the Corps of Cadets and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant through the ROTC program. He was active in the dairy club and Alpha Zeta Honorary Fraternity, and was also a member of the Highty Tighty Band all four years. In 1953, he graduated with a degree in Dairy Science, and afterwards remained a lifelong avid “Hokie Sports” fan and supporter of the Dairy Science department activities at Virginia Tech.

Harold served as assistant county agent in Frederick County in 1953. He served two years in the Army during the Korean War. On July 24, 1954, he married Carolyn June Myers, who survives. They have three children, Kenneth (Ann) – Waynesboro, Dale (Pam) – Weyers Cave, and Marguerite R. McDonald (Mark) – Fort Defiance, who survive. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Paul, John (Joni), Phoebe, and Garrett Roller, and two step-grandchildren, Tyler and Tara McDonald, and great grandchild Jackson Roller. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar Walton and Lawrence W. Roller.

Harold was the first county dairy specialist in Virginia in Loudoun County from 1956-1959 and in Augusta County in 1959. He was the charter president of the Hamilton Ruritan Club in 1957. He also organized and was the first unit commander of the Virginia National Guard unit in Leesburg from 1958-1960.

He supervised the construction of the first barns and show ring when the Loudoun 4-H Fairground was started. He also coached the state-winning 4-H dairy judging team in 1958.

From January 1960 until April 1967, he was executive secretary of the Virginia State Dairymen’s Association. While serving with the VSDA, he helped develop the foundation for a self-supporting organization, which continues to be active today.

Harold transferred to the Weyers Cave Ruritan Club and maintained perfect attendance for over 50 years, serving twice as club president. He was a member of the committee that was instrumental in bringing the water and sewer systems to the community.

He served two terms on the Augusta County school board, 1964-1971.

He was a dairy farmer with registered Jersey cattle, having purchased his first Jersey in 1945. He represented the Jersey breeders in Virginia and nationally in a number of program areas, and served three terms on the board of directors of the American Jersey Cattle Association. He represented the Jersey breed in the formation of Select Sires, a national AI breeding cooperative. In 2001, he was given the Distinguished Service Award for the American Jersey Cattle Association.

In January 1982, he began employment as an extension agent in agriculture in Rockingham County, where he assisted with dairy and agronomy programs. In 1985, he began development of an educational program in nutrient management of livestock and poultry waste. This program, assisted by numerous agricultural agencies and organizations in Rockingham County, was recognized nationally as one of the foremost and practical programs in the country. Harold presented results of the program on several national conference programs as well as producer groups in Virginia and West Virginia. As a result of the success of this program, he received a number of awards including Superior Service Award from Virginia Tech, Distinguished Service Award from Virginia Poultry Industry, Outstanding Extension Agent by Virginia Agribusiness Council, and Distinguished Extension Agent from the National Extension Agents Association.

He coached several 4-H Dairy Bowl champion teams and also coached another state champion dairy judging team.

After his retirement from Extension in 1996, he drove cars at Harrisonburg Auto Auction and was custodian of the Weyers Cave Ruritan Community Park for nine years. He and Carolyn also spent winters in Ellenton, Florida.

As a lifelong Christian and faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church, Harold served in many capacities including lay leader, church treasurer, and Sunday school teacher, among others.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, July 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM at Bethany United Methodist Church in Weyers Cave. The burial will be on Thursday, July 26 at 4:00 PM at Naked Creek Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 6:00 PM at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Bethany United Methodist Church, 3700 Lee Highway, Weyers Cave, VA 24486.

Lindsey Funeral Home in Weyers Cave is handling arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyweyerscave.com.