Roland Smith Obituary

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.