John Robert Rolfe Sr.

John Robert Rolfe Sr. The vice president and co - owner of one of Oklahoma's most prestigious and oldest businesses, Rolfe Funeral Home, died on Wednesday, August 6, 2003. He was 79. John Robert Rolfe, Sr a funeral director and an embalmer was one of three brothers who operated the 67 year old funeral home. He started working with his father at the funeral home when he was 18 years old. John worked faithfully at the firm until he retired. Robert Henry Rolfe his father founded the firm in 1935. In 1945 the Rolfe Brothers partnership began. They were proud to work as brothers. John Sr. said, 'We were proud of our ability to stick together and get along. Our father encouraged us to stick together.' Their philosophy placed emphasis on service. They showed the bereaved that they care. His professionalism compassion and concern for his community earned John the respect of everyone who knew him. Mr. Rolfe graduated from Douglas High School in Oklahoma City in 1942. He attended one of the largest and most widely respected mortuary schools in the country, the College of Mortuary Science in St. Louis, Missouri. John R. Rolfe was born February 14, 1924 to Robert Henry and Nannie Mace Rolfe in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mr. Rolfe was as member of the Oklahoma Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. He was also a member of the Funeral Service Examining Board. The Oklahoma State Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors presented John R. Rolfe Sr a Proclamation honoring him on February 13, 1997. Participating in civic activities and supporting the advancement of his community were important to John. He was very active in the NAACP and Urban League. He contributed financially to the efforts and worked to help make changes in his community. John Rolfe Sr. was also an adopter of Edwards Elementary. John maintained his membership at Fifth Street Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, where his father Robert Henry purchased the land and helped to finance the building of the church. In April 1998, John Rolfe Sr. was presented an award for 74 years of continued service at Fifth Street Baptist Church. He was recognized as a Gold Club Honoree of Fifth Street Baptist Church. Mr. Rolfe received an Appreciation award for Devotion and Invaluable Service from Mt. Rose Baptist Church and Fifth Street Baptist Church on March 28, 1993. He and the former Rodia M. Young were married on June 20, 1999. In addition to Mrs. Rodia Rolfe, Sr. his wife of Oklahoma City, Mr. Rolfe, Sr. is survived by his son, John Rolfe Jr., Oklahoma City and one grandson. He was preceded in death by his step-daughter, Brenda K. Johnson Watson and grandson, John Rolfe III both of Oklahoma City; his parents, Robert Henry & Nannie Rolfe; two brothers Henry and Walter Rolfe, all of Oklahoma City; three sisters, Thelma Diggs of OKC, Ruth Wallace of Chicago and Martha Adams of OKC. A funeral service in honor of Mr. Rolfe, Sr. will be held on Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at 1:00 p.m. at Fifth Street Baptist Church, 801 N.E. 5th Street, OKC. Services under the direction of Temple and Sons Funeral Directors. 427-8321