Edgar is preceded in death by his parents, all seven of his siblings and their spouses, his twin brother Edwin, his beloved wife, Portia (nee Goodloe) and his darling daughter Karen. Celebrating his life are his son Edgar Edwin Roulhac and his wife Patricia Johnson Roulhac, both of Pikesville, MD, his daughter Karen’s stepson, Keyalo Gray (Anikka) of DeKalb, IL; his in-laws Willa Mae Goodloe, Tulsa OK; Catherine Johnson, Chicago, IL; his nieces and nephews, Joyce Allen, Matteson, IL, Karla Goodloe Bell (Emmanuel), Gary, IN, Khary Frazier, Detroit, MI; Joe Nathan Goodloe, Tulsa, OK, Ron Goodloe (Nita) Glen Burnie, MD, Vicki Anne Green (Eric), Detroit, MI, Dara Ruth Harper (David), Inglewood, CA, Elaine Goodloe Hoskin (Floyd), Gary IN, Haviland Hamilton Lanum (Andy), Crete, IL, Verlena Lee, Sunny Lake Beach, FL, Delores Nance, Sun Lakes, AZ, Lamumba Leon Reynolds (Mayowa), Detroit, MI, Mary Reynolds, Detroit, MI, Sheryl Johnson Roulhac, Detroit, MI, Rolanda Viscardi (Vitorrio), Denver CO, Joseph Worthy (Francine), Grand Rapids, MI and many dear relatives, children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors of the Roulhac-Rhodes, Goodloe-Boykin, Johnson-Robinson and Gray-Martin Families.
Visitation Saturday 12:00 PM until time of Service 1:00 PM at Chapel Hill Gardens South Funeral Home, 11333 S. Central Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453. Interment to follow at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetery.
Edgar was a unique prince of a man whose life was truly blessed. He was a beloved son, devoted sibling, faithful soldier and patriot, model husband and parent, a superb educator and mentor and passionate citizen and community advocate. He performed countless acts of goodness and faith for all surrounding him, never missing an opportunity to promote fairness, human decency, professional integrity, caring, loyalty, generosity and love.
He attended kindergarten at Stillman Institute in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and continued at Allen Normal Primary School in Thomasville, Georgia. He graduated from Lincoln Normal Elementary School in Marion, Alabama. He returned to Still man Institute for high school and college freshman and sophomore years. He spent junior year at Fort Valley State College in Georgia and senior year at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama under the tutelage of professors Reuban Mundy and George Washington Carver, prior to being drafted into the U.S. Army.
After being honorably discharged as a sergeant and radar operator in the U.S. Army, became a lead electrician for the Pullman Company in Chicago. Later he taught aviation electronics at Chicago’s Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and served as assistant principal for business, career and industrial education programs.
A true father, friend and confidant, Edgar was actively involved in each stage of growth and development of his son, Edgar Edwin Roulhac PhD, and daughter, Karen MPH – always genuine, instructive, caring, supportive and present.
Edgar was and Ordained Deacon and Ruling Elder at Grace Presbyterian Church and Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church, both in Chicago. He is currently a member of Generational Blessings Ministries in Greater Chicago.
He coached his son Edgar’s Tuley Park little league Indians baseball team for three years. In 1959 his son played on the Tuley Park Comets team which was the Chicago Park District’s first black little league champion. President of daughter Karen’s LeBallet Petite performance troup, propelling her professionally into annual Chicago Geoffrey Ballet Christmas Performaces of Nutcracker Suite.
Edgar enjoyed playing golf, outdoor grilling, growing beefsteak tomatoes, landscaping, jazz listening, spending quality time with his seven brothers and sisters and parents, hosting frequent house parties, picnics and Christmas eggnog sips for family and friends.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18