Roland "Red" A. Elzie

Roland A. Elzie (“Red”) passed away peacefully on January 22, 2024 at his home in Gahanna, Ohio with his wife Deborah and daughter Rebecca by his side. He is survived by Deborah, Rebecca, sons Justin and Matt, four grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Roland’s longevity is evidenced by having outlived all of his 10 siblings. He was known for saying “Age is just a number”.

Roland was born February 16, 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas. Most of Roland’s formative years were spent in Cleveland, Texas. During these years, Roland learned to work with horses and mules, a skill for which he was a natural. He always looked forward to the Cheyene Frontier Days parade. Equine pursuits would remain a passion for his entire life. Roland was also highly talented in the trades, carpentry in particular building barns & wagons. This talent for carpentry would emerge early as he constructed a home for his mother, Ellen Elizabeth.

Roland and his siblings established an Elzie family tradition of service to country. He enlisted in the Air Force in February 1948 in Harris County, Texas. His distinguished service of 20 years notably included serving in the Berlin Airlift, the Korean War, and as a Minuteman Missile Crew Chief during the Cold War.

Roland was assigned to Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma where he would meet his soulmate Deborah in 1961. They both loved horses, so it was no coincidence that they first met at the Horse Stables facility at Altus. Their dream of owning a horse ranch was realized with homesteading in Carpenter Wyoming in 1964. This would be their home for 58 years. Roland’s previously mentioned penchant for carpentry would serve him well, as he constructed all of the barns needed for the small family ranch.

Roland’s biography would be incomplete without an emphasis on his commitment to volunteer public service. He served on the rural fire department, as a certified EMT, and as a deputy sheriff after earning an Associate’s Degree in Law Enforcement.

In retirement, Roland focused on training and working his award-winning team of mules, traveling to visit his family, and continuing to serve the local community at every opportunity.

Visitation will be held on Monday, January 29, 2024, from 10am-12pm at Schoedinger Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 East Johnstown Road, Gahanna, OH 43230, with Red’s funeral service immediately following at 12pm. A private interment will be held the next day at Dayton National Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, the Elzie Family requests that donations be made in Roland’s honor to the Red Cross, in recognition of Roland’s commitment to donating blood throughout his life.