Dr. Alvin Curry "Ace" Rolen Jr.

A.C. "Ace" Rolen Jr. Dr. A.C. "Ace" Rolen Jr., passed away after many years of struggling with malignant melanoma. Dr. Rolen was born and raised in Alabama, the son of the late Alvin Curry Rolen Sr., and Viola Zora Parton. He enjoyed sports, the outdoors and scouting. He was an Eagle Scout. His pre-med work was completed at the University of North Alabama and the University of Tennessee. He earned his Medical Degree at the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine. After an internship at Mid-State Baptist Hospital in Nashville, he was called into the U.S. Navy. He served as Shipboard Medical Officer in the Pacific. He completed his Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Oakland Naval Hospital in California. His final duty station was at Portsmouth Virginia Naval Hospital. He resigned his commission as a Commander to move to Bristol. For 30 years he was a partner in Bristol Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Rolen was a fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He served as President of the Bristol Rotary Club, the Bristol Regional Medical Staff, Sullivan County Medical Society and the Tri-City Obstetrics/Gynecology Society. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Lou Ann; their three children, Dr. Richard Rolen and wife Lisa of Johnson City, Tenn., Mrs. Kelly Rolen Beeker and husband Dr. Tad Beeker, and their two sons, Curry and T.J., of Mobile, Ala., Dr. Randall Rolen and wife Liz, and their daughter, Camille and newborn twins, Ace and Ava all of Mobile; and by a sister, Betty Eli of Austin, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011, at First Baptist Church, Bristol, Va., with Dr. David Stancil officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to First Baptist Church, General Fund, 1 Virginia St., Bristol, VA 24201; or Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steeles Road, Bristol, TN 37620. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed by visiting www.oakley-cook.com. Arrangements especially for Dr. Rolen and his family have been made through Oakley-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory.