Roland M. Aycock

Roland M. Aycock was born in Malone, Texas outside of Mexia, Texas on September 16, 1918. He went to be with the Lord peacefully on July 12, 2009. He enjoyed playing football, basketball, and baseball for the Mexia Blackcats.He attended Westminster College for two years before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1941.As a Gunnery Sergeant in the 4th Marine Division, F Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment, he made landings in the Marshall and Mariana Islands on Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. His unit received a Presidential Citation, and Roland received a Bronze Star on Saipan. Roland received two Purple Heart awards for wounds received on Tinian and Iwo Jima.Married to Vivian Eilleen Elvigeon in 1944 during the war, Roland joined Southland Life Insurance Company in 1947 where he worked as an Agency Manager for 33 years. He believed in community service. He served as President of the Downtown Optimist Club, President of NAFIA-San Antonio, President of the Quarterback Club, and Board member of Boysville. Roland was an active member of Alamo Heights United Methodist Church where he served in many capacities for over fifty years. Roland considered it a privilege to do volunteer work as a Bluebird at Methodist Hospital. He enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He loved to hunt and fish with family and he enjoyed his weekly golf outing with his friends.Roland was a proud grandfather and great grandfather. He loved attending sporting events as well as church, school and birthday events for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Roland was preceded in death by his wife Vivian, his son David Edwin, his brother Richard, and his sister Mildred Wright.He is survived by his two sons and their families: Doug and Vicki Aycock (Austin) and Steve and Cheryl Aycock (San Antonio). The grandchildren are Christy and Ryan Schooler, Steven and Malia Aycock, and Charlie, David, and Joe Aycock. His great grandchildren include Rebecca and Luke Schooler, Loula and Eloise Aycock; his step grandchildren Lisa Jo and Charles Harrison, and Haley Jenkins; and his sister-in-law Eloise Phelps.Memorial gifts may be given to Alamo Heights United Methodist Church, 825 E. Basse Rd., San Antonio, TX 78209.