John Roland Marchant

MARCHANT, John Roland, 95, of Irvington, formally of Richmond, died on December 2, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lillian ("Lil") Reilly Mar-chant, on May 21, 2008; his son, John Roland Marchant, Jr.; his brother, Avalon Blackburn Marchant, Jr.; sisters, Virginia Marchant Mills and Emily Marchant Hilbert. Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Christine M. and Charles C. Chase II of Kilmarnock; his son and daughter-in-law, W. Reilly and Beth Marchant of Richmond; four grandchildren, Meg and Reilly Marchant, Marchant Chase and wife Susan; and Anne Gilbert Chase; many nieces and nephews; and lifelong family friend Virginia Burton of Urbanna. He was born in Middlesex County on September 13, 1913, and later lived in Urbanna. He graduated from Christ Church School and attended Hampden-Sydney College. In 1936 he began his career of 42 years with Miller & Rhoads Department Store in Richmond, retiring as President and CEO in 1978. After retirement, he and Lil moved to Irvington, Virginia, where they remained until their passing. John served in many capacities, on many civic associations and boards, including United Virginia Bank, Richmond Memorial Hospital, Richmond Eye Hospital, Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, Salvation Army, the Richmond Symphony, Richmond Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Retail Merchants Association, Collegiate School, and Christ Church School. He was a member of the Commonwealth Club, Country Club of Virginia, and Indian Creek Yacht and County Club. While he was a great success in his professional life, he was even more of a success in his personal life. He maintained a strong faith in God, and garnered respect, admiration, and love from all who knew him. To his very core he was a kind, decent and good person, who was remarkably humble and giving as a husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He will be remembered lovingly by all who knew him, including his many friends among the staff at Rappahannock Westminster Canterbury in Irvington. A graveside service will be held at Historic Christ Church, Irvington on Saturday, December 6, at 11am. Memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation for Historic Christ Church, P.O. Box 24, Irvington, Va. 22480. Arrangements by Currie Funeral Home, Kilmarnock, Va.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.