Rolla Mahlon Marlatt Jr.

Rolla Mahlon Marlatt, Jr., born on January 1, 1947 in Nashville, Tenn., was age 73 when he went home to his Lord on November 19, 2020. He is predeceased by his father, Maj. Rolla M. Marlatt, Sr., his mother Mildred Christine Kemp Marlatt, and his brother Richard Douglas Marlatt. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jean Marlatt, son Ryan Marlatt, son Andrew Marlatt (wife Donna), grandsons Trenton Marlatt, age 12, Tyler Marlatt, age 10 and Tucker Marlatt, age 4, cousin Kay Kemp and brother-in-law Jim Roberts.

Due to his father’s army career, he developed a love of travel. He went to Kindergarten and 1st grade in Japan and 2 years of middle school in France. Back home in the U.S. he lived in several army base towns in Texas, Oklahoma, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia. He graduated Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Va. in 1965.

He enlisted in the army, serving in Vietnam with the 34th Engineers’ Battalion from April 1967 to March 1968. He graduated Northern Virginia Community College with an A.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1972, and graduated University of South Florida with a B.A. Degree from the College of Business Administration in 1974. He worked for the State of Florida for 32 years, retiring as an Eligibility Specialist with the Department of Children and Families.

As an ordained minister he had great joy in sharing the saving grace of his Savior, Jesus Christ. Combining his love for the Lord and his love of travel, he participated in several Partnership Mission trips to assist churches in other countries: Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and England. He served as a volunteer chaplain for over 30 years in Hillsborough County and Pasco County, Florida jails. He had served as an Associate Pastor at Northgate Baptist Church and as Interim Pastor of Castle Heights Baptist Church, both in Tampa. He was a member of Idlewild Baptist Church, and most recently served as volunteer Regional IV Chaplaincy Coordinator for Disaster Relief. His family took great pride in his being named Volunteer Chaplain-of-the-Year (For Outstanding Service and Commitment) by the Florida Baptists on November 11, 2013. He also served as volunteer chaplain of the 34th Engineers’ Battalion whose members served together in Vietnam and he officiated an annual memorial service for those in their battalion who were lost in combat, to assure that their sacrifice was not forgotten. He truly loved being a servant of God.

His favorite charity was Zenon Ministries, Inc., 2823 Lake Saxon Dr., Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 (www.ZenonMinistries.org). In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in Rolla's name to Zenon Ministries.