He was born on March 27, 1929, in Baltimore, MD, the son of Roland W. John and Naomi R. Benton-John. He married Shirley Barbara Cruze of Gettysburg, PA, on August 6, 1950. Of the union, one son, Douglas Roland John, was born on December 25, 1954.
Roland graduated from Plainfield Academy in New Jersey in 1946. He was the president of his senior class. After high school, Roland graduated from Washington Missionary College (now Washington Adventist University) with a degree in Business Administration in 1952. In 1964, he earned an M.A. degree from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA.
Roland held several jobs over his lifetime. After graduation, he worked as a cashier at Washington Missionary College. He also worked as Treasurer of Shenandoah Valley Academy in Virginia, Chief Accountant at Andrews University in Michigan, Assistant and Campus Business Manager at Loma Linda University in California, and finally, Executive Director of Medical Personnel Services, a subsidiary corporation of Adventist Health Systems-Loma Linda. In total, Roland spent 42 years working for the education and medical systems in the Seventh-Day Adventist church, retiring in 1994.
Soon after his retirement, Roland and Shirley moved to Viera in Rockledge to be closer to their son and family. Roland was an active member of the Melbourne Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He served as a Deacon, Sabbath school teacher, Pathfinder Leader, and Assistant Church Treasurer. Roland helped wherever he was needed. In his free time, Roland loved to stay active and go on adventures. He enjoyed volunteering, birdwatching, traveling, kayaking, playing golf and tennis, reading about American history, and spending time with his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Robert (Naomi), Arthur (Winifred), Daniel Moreno (Francis), his sister, Naomi (Robert), and his daughter-in-law, Patricia. Surviving are his son, Douglas, two granddaughters, Michelle (Tyler Andrews) and Amanda (Brian Hall), and two great granddaughters, Riley B. and Ryder G. Andrews.
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