OCILLA — John R. Roland, 84, of Ocilla died Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2010 at his residence.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Ocilla Baptist Church, with the Rev. Robert Couey and the Rev. Rob Dowdle officiating. Bobby Dix will give the eulogy. Burial will follow at Ocilla Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at the funeral home in Ocilla.

Mr. Roland was born April 3, 1926 in Nashville to the late Dave and Winifred Lassiter Roland. He was a retired postmaster after more than 40 years of service. Mr. Roland lived in Ocilla most of his life, graduating from Ocilla High School. He also graduated from South Georgia College. After graduation from high school, he volunteered for the U.S. Naval Reserve Amphibious Force, serving in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. He witnessed the raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi after the battle for Iwo Jima. Mr. Roland was a member of Ocilla Baptist Church and the Steadfast Seekers Sunday School Class. He was an avid supporter of Little League and the Irwin County Indians and enjoyed playing golf and fishing. Mr. Roland was a member and director of the Ocilla Country Club, a member and treasurer of the Irwin County High School Booster Club, a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Postmaster’s Association.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Dix Roland; one brother; one sister; and one son-in-law, Steve Merritt.

Mr. Roland is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law, Debbie and Stan Warner of Flowery Branch and Joye Merritt of Buford; one son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Roxy Roland of Tulsa, Okla.; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Dave and Kier Wood, Dusty Wood, Brittany Wood, Roxanne and Jason Burns, John Roland, Sarah Roland, Michael Elizabeth Merritt and Mary Margaret Merritt; four great-grandchildren, Roland Wood, Coleson Wood, Ashton Burns and Caleb Burns; as well as several nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that memorials be made to the Ocilla Baptist Church, P.O. Box 101, Ocilla GA 31774 or to the Ocilla Cemetery Fund, c/o Betty Joyce Walters, 251 Evergreen Drive, Ocilla GA 31774. To sign the online registry, go to www.paulkfuneralhome.com. Paulk Funeral Home in Ocilla is in charge of arrangements.