Rolland Harold Davis

Rolland Harold Davis

Rolland Harold Davis, 83, passed away peacefully at home on March 31, 2009 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease.

He was born April 26, 1925 in Byesville, Ohio, the only child of Herman and Lonnie Davis. Rolland loved school and had a perfect attendance from kindergarten through his graduation from Central High School. Rolland met his lifelong sweetheart, Marcheta, at Central High when he was just 14. They held hands ever since the day they met.

After graduation, Rolland served his country during World War II in an anti-aircraft Army division. He returned to graduate from The University of Akron and to earn his Master's Degree from Kent State. During his college years he was a member of Phi Delta Kappa Scholastic Honorary Fraternity. He became a history teacher, counselor, and an assistant principal at Goodyear Junior High, Akron's first junior high school. Later he was assistant principal at Perkins and Litchfield Junior High Schools, as well as at Kenmore High School. He was a member of both the Ohio and National Education Associations.

Rolland married Marcheta in 1948. They joyfully celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary together in June, 2008. They enjoyed traveling together from the very start, later spending long summer vacations traveling with their four children. Rolland was particularly fond of the outdoors and of visiting our National Parks, and through family travels instilled his love of the natural world to his children. After 35 years with the Akron Public Schools, he retired and joined the National Park Service. From 1980 through 1992, Rolland worked as a park ranger at what was then Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. During these years, he and Marcheta continued to travel extensively, eventually visting all 50 states, the Canadian provinces, Europe, the Middle East, Greece, and Egypt.

Rolland was an avid reader and hiker, and enjoyed bicycling and photography. His love of the outdoors extended to his passion for gardening; each summer he would proudly create colorful displays of overflowing flowers. Rolland was a member of the United Church of Christ for over 55 years, where he served as a deacon.

Rolland is survived by his wife, Marcheta; daughters, Rebecca Stoneman-Washee (Ernie), Deborah Batizy (Csanad); sons, Gregg Davis (Valerie), Richard Davis (Salvatore Sidoti); daughter-in-law, Carol Davis; grandchildren, Joshua Felber (Trina), Jessica Stiffler (Chris), Deidre Myers (Jeff), Jeremiah Felber (Jill), Rachel Alexander (Jared), Angela Mills (Joel), Ian Davis; and great-grandchildren, Julia, Karah, and Elijah Myers, and Mia Felber.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 3 at the Bath United Church of Christ, 3980 West Bath Road, Akron, OH 44333. Saturday calling hours will be from 10 am to 11 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Rose Hill Burial Park. Those who wish may contribute in Rolland's memory to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, the Akron General Visiting Nurse Service-Hospice Care, or to the Bath United Church of Christ Memorial Garden.