Van Jackson Roland

With heavy hearts yet grateful spirits, we remember and celebrate the life of Van Jackson Roland, a beloved husband, devoted father, cherished brother, and treasured friend. Van peacefully departed this world on June 21, 2026, in Gulfport, Mississippi, with his wife of 49 years by his side. Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, on April 17, 1954, his journey unfolded with warmth, laughter, and a resilience that resonated with all fortunate enough to know him.

Van’s formative years were marked by enduring friendships and steadfast family ties, nurtured within a community that valued character and camaraderie. He was educated at Gulfport East High School, honored to be part of the class of ’73. Those school days afforded Van the opportunity to meet & establish a lasting love with Delia Landrum, and also bore fruit in the form of many forever friendships. Professionally, Van dedicated more than thirty years to International Paper, where his diligence and reliability were trademarks.

A true artisan at heart, Van’s talents extended well beyond his career. He was a gifted home electrician and carpenter, a craftsman whose handiwork could be seen lovingly shaping both small home projects and larger renovations. His hands built models, mosaics made of found arrowheads or collectibles, and mounted trophies as a skilled taxidermist, each one telling a story of time spent in nature’s embrace. The outdoors called to him with an irresistible allure. Deer, turkey, squirrel, and rabbit hunting brought him solace and adventure, while flounder gigging, crabbing, saltwater & freshwater fishing filled his days with joy and camaraderie. Through it all, Van remained an avid spectator of sports, his loyalty always with the New Orleans Saints.

Family and kin meant everything to Van. He leaves behind his devoted wife, Delia Landrum Roland, alongside his beloved sons, Jacob Andrew Roland (Kelly) and Adam Wesley Roland (Taylor). Van’s spirit continues to live on through his brother, Ronald Preston Roland, his sister, Jane Roland Brown, and an extended family of nieces and nephews whose lives he enriched through laughter and well-timed jokes. He held a special place in his heart for his grandchildren, Elias Van and Emery Claire Roland.

Van’s cherished pets Maggie, Newly, and Duke were part of the fabric of his life; he loved to serenade them, infusing his home with music and warmth. He was known among friends and family as a true joker, ever ready with levity and good humor. His love for history, especially Civil War and family genealogy, was as deep as his appreciation for the beauty of America’s national parks, to which he contributed with quiet generosity.

As Van joins those family members gone before - his father, Theodore Jackson Roland; his loving mother, Naomi Elizabeth Geiger Roland; and his brother, Ted Alford Roland - he leaves behind a legacy built on a life well-lived. His surviving family mourns deeply but also celebrates the abundance of memories and moments that defined a remarkable man.

The Roland family offers heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate professionals and caregivers who sustained Van and his loved ones during his final journey: the teams at Enhabit Home Health and Hospice, especially Deanna, John, and Chante; his devoted caregivers Edna and Rolenia; The Claiborne’s Karey and Jessica; and St. Joseph’s Hospice, with special thanks to Kat, April, and Sandy.

Service arrangements to honor Van’s memory will be held on Monday, July 6, beginning with visitation at 2 pm, service following at 3 pm, at Gateway Methodist Church, Gulfport MS. Those who knew and loved him are invited to gather and share in remembrance of a life marked by adventure, humor, and abiding love.

Though Van may have departed this earthly realm, his spirit endures in the stories, laughter, and lessons he leaves behind. In the hearts of family and friends, his light will continue to shine: steadfast and eternal, as was his way.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to donate to a charity of your choice, the Humane Society of South MS, or Gateway Methodist Church, 16020 S. Swan Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503.

Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Roland family and ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers in the days to come.