JAMES ROLAND HALES
Sept. 9, 1920-Aug. 15, 2016
James Roland Hales, 95, died Monday, Aug. 15, at Big Elm Nursing Home in Kannapolis.
He was born Sept. 9, 1920, to Luther and Nilla Hales.
He married Helen Louise Roberts Sept. 30, 1944.
Helen and Roland celebrated 71 years of marriage before Helen passed away Feb. 9, 2016.
Roland graduated from Nahunta High School in 1939.
He went on to run his own business, Goldsboro Dairies Inc., for more than 25 years.
Roland was a longtime member of St. Luke United Methodist Church. He served as president of Goldsboro Host Lions Club, where he was a member for more than 50 years. He received numerous honors from Lions International, including Lion of the Year and a lifetime membership to Goldsboro Host Lions Club.
Roland was devoted to his family, his church and his community.
He gave tirelessly to St. Luke United Methodist Church, and spent any time that he could with family and grandchildren.
As a member of the Lions Club, he transported the blind to and from Camp Dogwood every summer as long as he was able.
Also, with the Lions Club, Roland was one of the top salesmen for the annual broom and lightbulb fundraisers year in and year out. Even when he became confined to his home, he still produced top sales over the telephone.
Roland also enjoyed playing and watching golf and ACC basketball, especially Duke.
He and Helen enjoyed fishing and being on the beach at Emerald Isle, where they had a summer retreat.
Roland also enjoyed working in the yard, both at his home and at the beach house in Emerald Isle.
Roland was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Daniel, Robert Aaron, Harvey McCoy and Hubert, and sisters, Edna Eliza, Hazel Irene and Rosa Lee.
He is survived by two children, daughter, Peggy Hales Scott and husband, Jeff, of Fayetteville, and son, James Alan Hales and wife, Diane, of Troutman; four grandchildren, Kim Hales Roche and husband, Andy, of Kannapolis, Erin Hales Chinners and husband, Ed, of Lexington, S.C., Michael Scott and wife, Brandi, of Greensboro and Jeffrey Scott and wife, Anne, of Salisbury; and 11 great-grandchildren, Anna and Louisa Roche, Grace, Nathan, Davis and Weston Chinners, Ella, Kiah and Luca Scott and Avalyn and Emma Scott.
A memorial service will be scheduled at a later time at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Goldsboro.
The family would like to thank Barbara Sturm, Martha Hall, Betty Holt, Kim Gurley and Terrell and LaWanda Hall, who were loving caregivers to Helen and Roland before they moved to Kannapolis.
Also, a special thanks to the nurses and staff at Big Elm for their kindness and constant attention to our father.
Memorials and donations can be made in Roland's name to Alzheimers Association of Eastern North Carolina, 3739 National Drive, Suite 110, Raleigh, N.C., 27612, or Parkinson Association of the Carolinas, 5970 Fairview Road, Suite 217, Charlotte, N.C., 28210.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on August 28, 2016 10:38 AM