Name: Visitation for Roland Smith
Start: 2022-10-04T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2022-10-04T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Coldren-Crates Funeral Home - Findlay

Roland K. "Rollie" Smith

Roland "Rollie" K. Smith, 86, passed away Thursday, Sept. 30, 2022, at Bridge Hospice Care Center.

Roland was born July 25, 1936, in Lima, Ohio, the son of Kenneth F. and Elizabeth M. (Pasco) Smith. He married Carol Sue Metzger on Sept. 29, 1962. He and Carol just celebrated 60 years of marriage!

Rollie will be missed by wife, Carol; daughter, Allison Marie (Dwight) Blankenship of Worthington, Ohio; son, Jeffrey Roland (Julie) Smith of Miamisburg; grandchildren, Erin Marie (Mac) Ramsdell, Joshua James Blankenship, Jack Roland Smith, and Riley Elizabeth Smith; sister, Mrs. Norman (Marilyn) Meyers; and many adored nieces and nephews.

A graduate of Lima Central High School in 1954 and Ohio University in 1958, he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. In the early 1960s, Roland was a U.S. Army photographer based in Kansas City, Missouri, at Army Hometown News Center.

Rollie's career began as an advertising artist for The Lima Citizen newspaper in the late 1950s. After leaving the Army in the early '60s, he went to work for Superior Coach Corporation in Lima as an advertising photographer. In 1965, Rollie joined Marathon Oil Company and he and Carol moved to Findlay. He was the supervisor of Photography and Video Production during his 30-year career which allowed him many adventures traveling the world and was a wonderful outlet for his creative talents. In retirement, Rollie worked in digital design and photography producing artwork in the form of pastels, photography, and digital art.

In Findlay, he was involved with Junior Achievement, United Way, YMCA, Findlay Art League, Findlay Elks Club, and as a board member for the Arts Partnership. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church for over 55 years where he had been a Deacon and led the church's video production group for over 50 years.

Rollie leaves a rich legacy of his creative works through art and photography. He was expert at capturing any special moments he loved, especially of his grandchildren, of whom he was so proud. His family's history and adventures are well documented as a result.

His love of people was felt by most through the indelible impression he left on those he met through his warm smile, kindness, support, and interest in others. When Rollie was with you, he was with you.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2022, at Coldren-Crates Funeral Home, Findlay. A celebration of life memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, at The First Presbyterian Church, 2330 S. Main Street, Findlay.

Memorials can be directed to Bridge Hospice and The First Presbyterian Church of Findlay.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Courier on Oct. 1, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Roland Smith

7 Entries

Jay Howell

October 4, 2022

I worked with Rollie on several project's while at Marathon. He was a friendly, kind and helpful person. I am sure he will be missed.

Kimberly A Thompson

October 3, 2022

I only knew Rollie for short period of time I was his caregiver he was the most happiest man I ever met one thing that I always remember is his thumbs up and his smile I will dearly miss him very much I will keep you Carol in my prayers and the family too you all was so wonderful

Monica and Ron Lozier

October 3, 2022

We are sorry to hear of the passing of Roland. We literally met by chatting over the backyard fence as neighbors. We could tell Roland he was a kind and very special person. Our deepest condolences to you Carol and your family.

Cora Grumblis

October 2, 2022

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.worked with Rollie at Superior. Great person & a great boss. R.I.P

Cheryl Owen (formerly Rectorschek)

October 1, 2022

My sincere condolences to your family. I worked with Rollie for many years
at Marathon. He shot the pictures and I wrote about them!!

A. R. Charnes

October 1, 2022

I worked with Rollie many years ago at Marathon. He was always happy and sharing stories about his children. Not only was he a gentleman he could take pictures and make all of us look better than we deserved. Condolences to the family.

William A. Miller

October 1, 2022

Rollie and I were both Mack Camera Store Alumni as Franklin Mack officially dubbed us. He was just a little ahead of me at Macks. I always liked Rollie as he was charming with a great personality. While he was still in Lima we were both members of The Greater Lima Industrial Photographers Assn. Our carrers were similar with the exception of most of my career was as an independent while his was predominately corporate. His smiling face in the obit is indicative of the kind of person he was. I'm sure he will be greatly missed especially by his family. RIP Rollie !

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