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Clyde Norton Roland, or Papa #1 as he was known to many, passed from this Earth just as the sun rose on the morning of May 18, 2018. He was 85 years old and loved the Lord with all of his heart, trusting in God throughout his life. He was a gentle but firm man, who passed on a legacy of love and laughter to a multitude of people.
He was born on May 29, 1932 in Ardmore, OK to Mike and Anna Roland. He was one of thirteen children. In 1950, he married Mary Lou Parker who passed away shortly after giving birth to their son, Billy Norton. In 1954, he married Phyllis Rosellen Beasley and they had Collie Marshall, Rebecca Sue, and Tommy Leroy. Since then, there were 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren added to the family fold.
Clyde worked hard all his life, starting at Boeing in Wichita, KS. He then worked on the Titan Missile Project, followed by a mechanical inspecting job for Michael Baker Jr. Inc., where he moved with Phyllis and the four kids to practically every state west of the Mississippi. Although the times spent at each location were sometimes short, Clyde's witty personality gained many lifelong friends. Clyde, Phyllis and the kids settled down in Ponca City, OK in 1970 and he began his work as a refinery inspector at Conoco, where he was affectionately known as "Stumpy". He retired early and began contract work as an inspector of coffee pots (according to his grandchildren) throughout Oklahoma and the surrounding states. He and Phyllis packed up and put away their 5th-wheel and settled in to stay on the Big Acres, where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends while watching grandchildren and great grandchildren grow up.
Papa #1 enjoyed tinkering around in his garage, working on old trucks, and was a general jack of all trades. You would oftentimes find Papa #1 and Granny dancing the jitterbug to the radio in the living room or listening to Patsy Cline. His second family was the members of the Ranch Drive Baptist Church, where he was known to keep the pastors on their toes. It was very rare that a person would come away from an encounter with Papa #1 without a nickname or a Fireball candy. Life slowed down for Papa in the last few years and he was spoiled rotten by a wonderful group of caretakers who lovingly tended to his every need. Everyone knows they are Papa's "favorite", and his passing has left a huge hole in our hearts. However, we have the blessed assurance that we will see him again someday. So, as Papa #1 would say, "Toodle Noodle", for now.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, six brothers (one of which was his twin brother, Claude Norman), both of his wives, and his oldest son Billy.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Bacher, and his brothers Kenneth and Doug Roland, as well as his children and their spouses: Collie and Sheri Roland, Becky and Joe Fowler, and Tom and Erin Roland. He also leaves behind multiple nieces and nephews, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services for Clyde will be held at Ranch Drive Baptist Church in Ponca City, OK on Wednesday May 23rd at 10 a.m. Pallbearers include Austin Robedeaux, Sara Roland, Jesse Roskilly, Jonathan Hooper, Jason Fowler, Jeffrey Roland, Collie Elliot Roland, Beau Roland, Ossie Roland, and Lance Cardona. Honorary pallbearers include Dudley Barnwell, Kenny Sherron, and Wayne Pettit.
The family will be at the Big Acres and a visitation is scheduled at Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City for Tuesday, May 22nd from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a memorial contribution be made to Ranch Drive Baptist Church.
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