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Ronald (Ronnie) Lee Rollins Sr., 70, of Columbus, Texas passed away surrounded by loved ones on July 23, 2023, after complications from an advanced cancer. He was born on April 13, 1953, in Eagle Lake, Texas to Harold Rollins Sr. and Dorothy Richter Rollins and spent the majority of his life in Columbus, Texas. He was baptized at St. Paul Lutheran Church on Sept. 25, 1955, and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church on March 19, 1967.
Ronald attended Columbus High School and worked parttime running the movie projector at the Oaks Theatre after school and on weekends.
After High School, he went to work for Parker Brother’s in Eagle Lake, Texas; where his step- father worked. He started as a drag-line oiler and later was a drag-line operator excavating gravel. He became fascinated with fossils while working in the rock quarry, especially Mammoth fossils, and rock collecting quickly became one of his hobbies.
On Oct. 12, 1973, he married Janie Broz in Cuero, Texas and nearly one year later on Oct. 5, 1974, they had a son; Ronald (Bubba) Rollins Jr.
Several years later, he was employed for five years with Sky Top in Victoria, Texas where he worked drilling holes to look for petroleum by using seismograph instruments. He was able to remain employed with Sky Top until the last group of layoffs. He then made the decision to bring his family back to Columbus and worked again as a drag-line operator with Lehigh Hanson in Garland, Texas for many years until he was forced into early retirement.
He was a compassionate, kind man that enjoyed the simple pleasures of life such as having his morning coffee and kolaches, sitting on the back porch with his wife Janie and their two cats Ginger and Little One, taking pride in his lawn, going on long walks and chatting with friends he would see on the way, trying his luck with scratch offs, and watching the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, Price is Right, and Oak Island. In early years, he enjoyed playing video games and riding rollercoasters with his wife and son. He loved spending time with his family and if he couldn’t be with them in person, he would be with them on the phone. He was a selfless man that took care of others needs before his own. He loved life and had great adoration for animals- especially cats.
He was preceded in death by his mother Dorothy Richter Rollins Fojtik; father, Harold Rollins Sr. and step father Rudolf Fojtik; sister Joyce Rollins and brother David Rollins.
Ronnie is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Janie Rollins; his son Ronald (Bubba) Rollins Jr.; brother Harold Rollins Jr. and wife Brandy Rollins; sister, Cathy Meuth and husband Dwaynne Meuth; niece, Caitlin Meuth; sisters; Barbara Kuciemba, Beverly Rollins; brothers, Donnie Rollins, Derrick Rollins and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to thank Dr. Allison Gorrebeeck, Dr. Carl Nuesch and Dr. Vivek Shah for providing the best form of treatment and care. A sincere thank you to the nursing staff at St. David’s North and Altus Hospice for their support and compassion during this difficult time.
Visitation will be held Friday, July 28, 2023, at Henneke Funeral Home, 1515 Montezuma St., Columbus, Texas from noon to 2 p.m., immediately followed by funeral service which will begin at 2 p.m. with Deacon Sandye Fletcher from St. Paul Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery next to his maternal grandparents and his mother whom he missed dearly.
Pallbearers are Donnie Rollins Sr., Donnie Rollins Jr., Derrick Rollins, Lane Rogers, Sam Gonzales, and Tony Velaquez.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 2500 Fondren Rd., Suite 100, Houston, Texas 77063 or Austin Humane Society, 124 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas 78752.
Online condolences may be given at www.hennekefuneralhome.
