The Loop Newspaper - Tehachapi's Online Community News & Entertainment Guide

Rodger Jess Rolin was born in Purcell, Oklahoma to Andrew Rolin and Wanda Hardeman.

He was the oldest of eight siblings and left home when he was 15 years old to make his way through the world. He enlisted in the U.S. Army when he was 17 and served for 20 years. He was stationed throughout the United States and the world, from Germany (three times) to Korea (twice) and Vietnam where he was awarded the Bronze Star.

During his first tour in Germany, Rodger met Helga Markus, courted her and they were wed in 1955. A marriage which lasted until her passing in 2016. He rose in the ranks from Private to Chief Warrant Officer 3 by the time he left the service in 1973 and settled in Tehachapi. There he started and ran several businesses. Rodger worked a Snap On Tools franchise, ran the Douglas Service station, founded Veteran truck towing/repair/overload services, Tehachapi Tractor and Trailer and opened the Body Works gym. Rodger was also very involved with the VFW and later the American Legion serving as commander of the post.

Most who knew Rodger would say that he had his own way of doing things and could not be deterred from proceeding as if his way was the only way. He had a strong sense of what was right or wrong, from his point of view, and was determined to proceed in the right direction. This strong conviction led him to champion several issues, even taking some of those issues all the way to Sacramento where he confronted state officials with evidence of their failings.

In his later years, his love of country music and growing closeness to his great grandchildren eased his mind and brought him much comfort.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, his brothers Bill, Glenn and Mac and his sister Terry Lynn. He is survived by his sisters Juanita Davidson (Sonny) and Sally Jo Mangold (Mark) and brother Tom Rolin (Pat), son Fred Rolin (Tambra), his grandsons Chris Rolin (Shannon) and Robert Rolin and great grandchildren Christian, Alexia and Chase along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Thank you to Alicia Gutierrez and all those at Pacifica Senior Living that cared for him in his final days. May he rest in peace in the inevitable light that someday will call us all and find a warm embrace in the arms of his wife that he missed so.

Services are scheduled at the Bakersfield National Cemetery on Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.

Wood Family Funeral Service has been entrusted with his care. For condolences, please visit http://www.woodmortuary.net.