Benjamin Roland McElroy

January 22,1944 – March 7, 2026

Benjamin Roland McElroy, 82, of Fairfax, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Known from birth by his middle name, Roland was preceded in death by his parents, The Rev. Dr. Frank H. McElroy, Sr. and Mae Carpenter McElroy, his siblings Mae McElroy Cheatham, Joan McElroy, Nell McElroy John, and William McElroy, as well as his first wife, Ginny Sears McElroy.

He is survived by his wife, Bettie; his son Keith McElroy, son Paul McElroy (Sara), daughter Katherine Godesky (Michael), step-son Paul Vodra (Jennie), and step-daughter Katie Schwabach (James). Roland's legacy continues through his many grandchildren: Sophia, Banks, Lilly, Shelby, Sean, Luke, Jack, Scarlett, Julia, Noah, Grayson, and Hudson.

Roland was born and raised in Quitman, Georgia, along with his eight siblings. As a young boy, the local library was his portal to unknown places and the world beyond. Roland's broadcasting career began at the age of 13 when he became a disc jockey at the local radio station, hosting an after school program known as The Rockin' Romac Top 40 Show. He took his broadcasting skills to college and worked at radio stations in Athens while pursuing a degree in economics and journalism at the University of Georgia. While pursuing his Master's Degree, he spent two years producing and hosting a network ETV program for the Georgia Extension Service.

In 1971, at the request of Jimmy Carter, then governor of Georgia, Roland handled media exposure for the Governor's "Goals for Georgia" initiative. During that effort he met Sam Nunn.

When Nunn made his decision to run for the US Senate in late 1971, Roland was hired as his first staff member. They picked a date in the middle of March 1972 to announce his intention to run for the seat that was held at that time by Carter's appointee. For the full story, refer to Roland's book, "The Best President the Nation Never Had" (Mercer University Press, 2017). Nunn won that race in 1972, and Roland was off to Washington where he served for 15 years with Senator Nunn, first as press secretary and then as chief of staff.

Following his time in Nunn's Senate office, Roland founded a public relations firm and later served in executive roles for two major trade associations. He returned to Capitol Hill as chief of staff to Chuck Robb, U.S. senator from Virginia, in 1992, to help prepare for Robb's reelection campaign. When his wife, Ginny became seriously ill, he decided to see if he could make a living in the freelance world, handling communications needs for various corporate and individual clients.

An active member of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church since 1972, Roland was an ordained Elder and served in many volunteer and creative roles over the years, including chairman of stewardship committees, producing the church's history documentary, spearheading the church's communications ministry, raising funds for two major church renovations, and helping create weekly worship service videos during the pandemic.

Roland often said, "My goal is to write something new every day." Indeed, he set himself on a course to meet that personal mandate. He has written several books, including a political memoir, three church histories, one corporate history, several children's books, short stories, and a novel – all of which reflect his gift for storytelling.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 11:00 am at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church, 1724 Chain Bridge Road in McLean, Virginia. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to be directed to the Lewinsville Presbyterian Church Foundation or the ALS Association.