Jose Rolando Sarabia

Jose Rolando Sarabia was born on September 7, 1941 in Kingsville, Texas. He was raised by his parents, Horacio Barrera Sarabia and Amelia Hinojosa Sarabia, along with his siblings: Horacio (Lacho), Yolanda (Yole) and Grace in Kingsville, Texas. A strong work ethic began at the age of 12 when he began working at a local JC Penny store.

With the proceeds from his job, he was able to pay for his college education and graduated with a Civil Engineering degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. Rolando served briefly in the Army during the Vietnam war era. Afterwards, he worked in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Galveston, Texas. During this period, on December 29, 1966, he married the love of his life, Maria Gloria Sarabia . They were married for 57 years until Gloria passed away in August 2024. In 1972, Rolando and Gloria left Texas for Marietta, Georgia where he held a presidential appointed position for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) during the Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton administrations. Although he was based in the Atlanta office, he traveled extensively in the United States coordinating the federal response for some of the largest natural disasters, including Hurricane Andrew, the earthquakes in Northridge and San Francisco, the Teton Dam collapse in Idaho, numerous floods in the southeast United States and the Toccoa Falls dam collapse in Georgia. For his work in the states of Kentucky and Alabama, he was honored to receive recognition as a Kentucky Colonel and Honorary Lieutenant Colonel Aide-de-Camp (Alabama). He concluded his career working at PBS&J, an engineering consulting firm. He retired in 2004 at the age of 63. His extensive work in the engineering field inspired his sons and many of his grandchildren to follow in his footsteps.

In his retirement years, he loved attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events, playing golf with family and friends, and spending time in his backyard. He found great joy in teaching his grandchildren how to tackle household projects, leaving a lasting legacy. He was a die hard Atlanta Braves fan.

Rolando had a strong Catholic faith. His family in Kingsville were founders of St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Kingsville, Texas. Along with his wife, Gloria, he also was an early parishioner of Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta, Georgia and a member of the Knights of Columbus. Rolando and Gloria were blessed to have four children.

He is preceded in death by his parents Horacio and Amelia, brother Horacio (Lacho), sister Yolanda and her husband Zaragosa and his wife of 57 years, Gloria. He is survived by his sister Grace and her husband Randy Gunnip and their children; wife of Lacho, Gerri Sarabia and their children; the children of Yolanda and Zaragosa; son Xavier and wife Christina Sarabia, grandchildren: Alejandro, Elena and husband Thomas Beckman, Roberto, Antonio and Jose Sarabia; daughter Leticia and husband Kirk Hall, grandchildren: Kamron and wife Sydney Hall (great-granddaughter Jordyn), Karson and wife Catherine Hall, Kasandra and Kamille Hall; daughter Iris Sarabia; and son Jaime and wife Tena Sarabia, grandchildren: Diego, Miguel and Mia.

Rolando passed peacefully at home in his sleep, surrounded by his large and loving family, on March 8, 2026. Jose Rolando Sarabia was 84 years old.

The family will receive friends on Sunday evening, April 12th from 5 pm until 7 pm with a Rosary held at 6:30 pm that evening. The Funeral Memorial Mass will be held on Monday, April 13th at 11:00 am, Holy Family Catholic Church, Marietta, GA.

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