Jimmy Neal Rolen's Obituary
It is with sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, Jimmy “Jim” Neal Rolen. Jim was born on July 22, 1934, in Tulsa Oklahoma and passed quietly in his sleep in Claremore, Oklahoma, on October 11, 2023, at the age of 89.
Animals were always a big part of Jim’s life. As a boy, he raised Hampshire pigs for show. As an adult, he brought many animals into the lives of his family--cats, dogs, birds and horses. Riding horses brought him great joy. As a young boy, Jim developed a life-long interest in flight. Throughout his life, he built and flew radio-controlled airplanes and helicopters, and received his private pilot’s license. His love for flight led him to join the Air Force in 1952, and he became a Jet Mechanic during the Korean War, where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. In service to our nation, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, UN Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
When he returned to the States, Jim finished his service in Reserves in Alabama where he met the love of his life on a blind date, Doris Fincher. Within 5 months of meeting, they got married. In August of this year, he and Doris Celebrated 68 years of marriage.
Jim was a very involved parent and always supported son, Barry, at every baseball, football or basketball game, and Kimi’s dance and gymnastics recitals. Jim was also a cabinet builder, and he and Doris built their house in Verdigris together. Other hobbies included parasailing and flying ultralights, and boat racing-he even built one of his boats.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene Debbs Rolen and LeNora Irene Dobbs Rolen, and his sister Betty Jean Rolen Center.
He is survived by his wife, Doris; Daughter, Kimi Pranger and husband Bill; Son, Barry Rolen and wife, Jennifer; Grandchildren Anthony Pranger, Nicholas Pranger (Julie), Alyssa Warner (Mitchell), Spencer Rolen, Barry Rolen Jr, and three great grandchildren, Rogerick Bowman, Elliot Warner and Genevieve Pranger, and many other family members.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel, located at 6500 S 129th E Ave, Broken Arrow, OK 74012. Inurnment will take place immediately after conclusion of the memorial service at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens. The Air Force Honor Guard will be in attendance at the graveside to perform Military Honors in remembrance of Jimmy and his service to his country.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your local ASPCA. Please click the following link if you would like to donate to ASPCA in Jim's memory. https://secure.aspca.org/donate/donate?ms=wb_top_donate&initialms=wb_top_donate&pcode=WEBMEMBER&lpcode=WEBGUARD
Anyone wishing to send flowers may do so by ordering through our website or by calling Floral Designs by Floral Haven at (918) 459-1525. Any other florists may deliver flowers directly to Floral Haven Funeral Home by 2:00 PM on Friday, October 20, 2023, in order for them to be set out and displayed for Jim's services.
Anyone wishing to watch Jim's tribute slideshow may do so by clicking the link: https://www.tributeslides.com/tributes/show/CLWRGC6L93X83BGD
Arrangements entrusted to Floral Haven Funeral Home.
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