Roland Clark Jankelson

Roland Clark Jankelson, born to Bernard and Agnes Jankelson in Seattle, Washington on the 14th of May, 1939, passed away peacefully on November 14th, 2025 at 86 years of age, surrounded by his four dearest puppies and his loving wife.

Raised on a farmstead in Kent alongside his twin brother Robert where self-reliance was less a virtue as it was a necessity, Roland’s upbringing laid the foundational concrete for a lifetime of achievement through sheer determined work-ethic.

After cultivating a particularly keen mind for business at the University of Washington, from where he graduated with a degree in economics in 1962, Roland began to lay the groundwork for a life of success, not the least of which included a sprawling commercial real estate investment enterprise, involvement in his father’s neuromuscular dentistry technology company (Myotronics), executive roles at several companies and partnerships, part-ownership of the Portland Trailblazers (for which he earned an NBA Championship ring in the 1970s), orchardry management, philanthropy, and a decades long career as a professional boxing promoter and manager.

Several top-ranked fighters found their greatest success under Roland’s tutelage, such as WBC and IBO Heavyweight Champion Pinklon Thomas, WBA Heavyweight Championship challenger Joe Hipp, WBC Continental Welterweight Champion Alex Bunema, WBC Continental Heavyweight Champion Chauncy Welliver and, prior, his brother Dumont, and WBO African and WBC Silver Cruiserweight Champion Olanrewaju “Larry” Durodola.

Roland’s passing was personally acknowledged by the World Boxing Council (WBC) and its president, Mauricio Sulaimán, in a statement by the prestigious organization shortly after his passing.

The proudest of his accomplishments, however, was his 47-year marriage to his first wife, Wanda Jankelson, who precedes him in death. Upon Wanda’s passing after a brave 11-year battle with ovarian cancer, Roland dedicated himself to partnering with and raising funds for the Rivkin Center, an ovarian cancer research institution, via the Wanda Jankelson Foundation for Health Care and Research.

Some years after becoming a widower, Roland met Tammy Olson, herself a widow. Throughout the following years, Roland and Tammy became inseparable, and after years of doting and dedicated partnership were married. Tammy was Roland’s dearest friend since their meeting, and in the final months of Roland’s life, due to Tammy’s unfaltering and loving care, Roland was able to live in comfort and peace in the face of mounting health issues.

Outside of his outstanding success in business and personal enterprises, in his personal life, Roland was a dedicated Gonzaga men’s basketball superfan, and a loving pet father to Walker, Dottie, Birdie, and of course, his best buddy, Sparky.

Roland is preceded in death by his parents, Agnes and Bernard Jankelson, and his first wife, Wanda.

He is survived by his wife Tammy Olson, brother Robert (Trish) Jankelson, children Michael (Christa) Jankelson and Kimberly (Craig) Jankelson, step-children Tanner (Maggie) Olson and their son Tyson, and Taylor (Griffin) Ginnis, and grandchildren Aiden and Asher Woods, Zachary (Peyton) Jankelson and Christopher Jankelson, as well as his beloved puppies, Sparky, Walker, Dottie, and Birdie.

Roland elected not to have a funeral service. In lieu of a formal service, flowers, or otherwise, simply reflect on Roland’s impact on your life, and in the words of his brother Robert, choose not to mourn his death, but instead to celebrate his life.

All are welcome to sign the online guestbook below and add any messages or stories for the family.