Roland honorably served in the United States Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He also served in the FBI from 1942 until 1952. He left the bureau to accept an investigative position with the National Board of Fire Underwriters, Fire and Arson Bureau. He established a Charlotte office for that organization, retiring in 1970. Roland then went on to become the Founding Director of the security department for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and was the Director of Security from 1970 until retiring in 1989.
He was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church and was a long time lay minister for both Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Roland was a life member and Past Master of West Gate Masonic Lodge and a 33rd degree Scottish Rite Mason. He was an Oasis Shriner and member of the Metrolina Shrine Club, as well a member of the American Legion post # 353.
Roland was preceded in death by his first wife of 70 years, Helen Thaxton Smith. He is survived by his current wife Carolyn Stout Smith, son Rodney T. Smith (Sarah), daughter Sharon Berman (Ian), granddaughter Shannon Sluis (David), and great-grandchildren Beau and Ruby Sluis.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at West Gate Masonic Lodge, 5924 Brookshire Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28214. Donations can be made in his memory to the Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, www.mhc-oxford.org.
Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service, Charlotte, NC.
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