Smith, Roland Mahlon
Roland Smith was a beloved father, grandfather, respected businessman, and trusted friend. He was born on January 2, 1938 in Detroit, MI and passed away September 27, 2011, in Redding, CA. He moved with his family to Southern California where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1956. Roland worked multiple jobs putting him through college and was nicknamed the "Machine." He graduated from Long Beach City College where he was a track champion and in 1958 received his Associated Arts degree. He went onto to attend UCLA where he became a member of the Kappa Sigma and Delta Phi Epsilon fraternities. In 1960, he graduated receiving his undergraduate degree in International Relations. Subsequently, he attended the prestigious American Institute for Foreign Trade's Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix and in 1962, received a post graduate degree in Foreign Trade. Upon graduation, he embarked on a career in finance and commercial real estate that, by all measures, was hugely successful.
His life story told of most Americans' dreams. Raised by a single mother, he worked his way through college and attained great financial as well as personal success. His life venture took him to reside in Palo Cedro where he raised his family, and later to Shingletown, CA. He was a proud Father of four children and three loving grandchildren that include his son Michael and daughter-in-law Laura, and their children Nicholas and Amanda; son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Delaine, and their son Jake; son Bryn and his partner Kevin; and daughter Jean and her partner Julie. He is survived by twin brother Roger and his wife Sandra Smith, and sister Carole and her husband Roger Vaden. Lessons learned at his knee will live on in the hearts and minds of all those who survive him. Roland's credo was "The Harder I Work, The Luckier I Get." As many who knew him also knew what an incredible mind he had for business and art of finding the "perfect deal", he was always chasing that perfect deal. He was a man of the utmost integrity and enjoyed his life's passions of fishing, hunting, tennis, golf, and following his beloved UCLA Bruins. Our Dad is gone and is greatly missed, but will never be forgotten in our hearts. Go Bruins!
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Sponsored by The Orange County Register.
2 Entries
We love you Dad and you are missed. You meant so much to everyone. You are forever in hearts.
Mike
Michael Smith
Family
November 22, 2021
RIP Roland. My friend.
Rex Saracino
September 27, 2013
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