Homelake – Long time Monte Vista resident Roland Harvey Ford, passed away at the Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake on November 11, 2015 at the age of 88.

Roland was the first born to Harvey James Ford and Vera Mae (Hunt) Ford in the community of Bowen. The family moved to Center and Roland graduated from Center High School. He joined the United States Marines Corps in 1946 and was stationed in China. He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class in 1948. He returned to Center following his service and did some farming as well as being a police officer for the town of Center. He later joined the Center Soil Conservation District, working for a number of years driving D9 Caterpillars. He married Elaine Kinser in Colorado Springs, Colorado in 1967. Around that same time, he began his career with the State of Colorado Inspection Service. He retired as an inspector after 27 years of service. He could often be found watching the Broncos and the Rockies, at the age of 80, he found a passion in painting with watercolors, Roland never met a stranger; he had a great smile and a very good sense of humor.

He was a charter member of the Monte Vista Elks Lodge #2456, a member of the Veterans of Foreign War in Center, later moving his membership to Alamosa. He volunteered as a fireman for the Center area, retiring as a Lieutenant, a member of the Veteran Motor Car Club of America, of which he was a proud owner of several classic automobiles.

Roland is survived his wife Elaine, his daughter Lois (Kevin) Slover, two grandsons Tom and Rob all of Cottonwood, California, a sister-in-law Marilyn of Lake Jackson, Texas, Shirley (Ron Crown) of Arvada, Colorado, his nieces Cathy Blotter of Bay City, Texas, Caren Messier of Lake Jackson, Texas, Vinda Roberts and Misty Finical of Albuquerque, New Mexico, his father-in-law Loyde Kinser of Center as well as his extended family, Carol Silva, George and Evelyn Sprouse Rowe of Monte Vista.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lloyd and Russell as well as a nephew Kurt Roberts.

At his request cremation will take place and there will be no services. You are asked to remember his smile and his love for life. Contributions are suggested in his memory to the Colorado State Veterans Center at Homelake.

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