James Roland Locklear

On Jan. 17, 2017, James Roland Locklear left his earthly home to join the Saints in Heaven. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Burt Chapel-Fort Payne. The Rev. Jeff Fuller and the Rev. Alton Vaughn will officiate. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery. Burt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Born in 1929 in Fort Payne and growing up during the Great Depression, he became the embodiment of the word "entrepreneur." Roland would live his life founding and operating a long list of successful businesses, which included, Locklear Sausage, Energy Enterprises, Locklear Hosiery and a string of restaurants in and around Gadsden as well as many others.
Most recently Roland, along with his wife of 67 years Doris, owned and operated The Strand in Fort Payne - a restaurant he started in the Strand theatre building where he had worked popping popcorn as a child. Roland was a man that believed in hard work and always enjoyed having a project to do. Whether it was redoing an antique car or mowing the grass, he was always proud of the things he had accomplished. However, the thing he was most proud of was his family. In almost any conversation you had with the man, he would interject a tidbit about what one of his children, grandchildren or great grandchildren had accomplished.
Roland also loved the Lord and was a member of Minvale Baptist Church. And though he will be missed here on earth. If you're a believer in Jesus Christ, as he was, this separation is only temporary.
Locklear is preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Marie Price Locklear; brother, Jack Locklear Jr.; sisters, Barbara Locklear and Betty Sue Locklear and beloved grandson, Joseph Burt Hood.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Doris Burt Locklear; daughters, Rhona (Karl) Hood and Alecia (Anthony) Vaughn; son Heath (Cari) Locklear; grandchildren, Mandy and Heath Anderson, Matt and Angie Hood and Colt Locklear; great grandchildren, Ty, Macy and Mara Anderson, Nena and Eli Hood and Sophie Hood; siblings, Terry Locklear, Deuard Locklear and Jerri Harris and several nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Karl Hood, Anthony Vaughn, Heath Anderson, Ty Anderson, Colt Locklear, Matt Hood, Terry Locklear and David Locklear.
Visitation was 5-8 p.m. Thursday at Burt Chapel-Fort Payne.