Roll Call Tribute

Jay R. Roland ’59

February 14, 1937 - January 12, 2023

Corps of Cadets, Squadron 8, First Wing Commander, Cadet Colonel, BS in Mechanical Engineering.

Jay Roy Roland passed away in Dallas on January 12, 2023, at the age of 85. He was born in Wills Point, Texas on February 14, 1937, to Artie and Ludie (Ezell) Roland. Jay married Bettye Jean Olive on December 21, 1958. They had just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary when Bettye passed away on December 27, 2022. Jay spent just sixteen days on this earth without her. Jay’s faith in God was strong and unshakeable. He was so ready to step into eternity with his Lord and Savior, and of course his beloved Bettye Jean.

During his twenty-year career in the United States Air Force, Jay reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He earned his Master’s degree in Astronautics at the Air Force Institute of Technology and his PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Oklahoma. His areas of expertise included pilot, intelligence analyst, laser and nuclear weapons phenomenology, aeronautical testing, and space-based laser communications.

After retirement from the Air Force, Jay chose to develop and finance power plants in the private sector, both domestically and internationally. He developed solar power plants with McDonnell Douglas and Luz Engineering, and gas-fired cogeneration plants with Sunlaw Energy and North Canadian Oils. While with Sceptre Power Company, he developed, financed, and constructed the gas powered Fauji Kabirwalw Power Project in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. Visions never accomplished were ocean water desalination and space-based solar power generation for terrestrial use.

Over the years, Jay was always involved in Bible studies, both as a leader and a participant. He was an athlete and an outdoorsman. Golf was his favorite pastime after retirement, but in his younger years he taught his kids to water ski, snow ski, play tennis, softball and baseball, bowl, swim and dive, run and bike, camp and hike, fish and shoot guns. He worked hard throughout the week and traveled extensively for work, but when he was home, he was fully present, and the family played hard together. He and Bettye traveled extensively. Their favorite destination was Switzerland, where they organized and led holidays for friends and family. They took their grandchildren – one at a time - on international trips, cruises, and on deep sea fishing and dude ranch excursions. They threw great parties in their homes and made everyone feel loved and special.

Jay is survived by his four children: Jayme (and Stuart McLeod) of Pasadena, California; Lisa (and Mark Plum) of Dallas, Texas; Ludie (and Daryl Hansen) of Glendale, Arizona; and Randy Roland (and Cynthia) of Sylmar, California. He was “JayJ” to nine grandchildren (Dylan, Taylor, Jake, Jessica, Rachel, Ruth, Sydney, Christopher, and Cierra), two great-granddaughters (Wallis and Hunter) and two great-grandsons (Odin and Cristian). Jay is also survived by his brother-in-law, William (Bill) Olive Jr., who lives in Pendleton, Oregon, and his three children: Tammy (and Greg Milligan), Paul Olive, and Melissa (and Tom Smith).

There will not be a service at this time. Jay and Bettye wished for their ashes to be placed at the Aggie Field of Honor in College Station. The columbarium wall faces Kyle Field where the Fighting Texas Aggies and the 12th Man play football. Over the years, the traditions of Texas A&M brought Jay so much joy and pride. This fall the family with gather in College Station to place the ashes, then go to a football game and yell louder than anyone else in the stadium, because that is what Jay would have wanted.

Memories and condolences can be sent to Lisa Roland-Plum: Tingirl17@hotmail.com