Coach Robert Henry Roland, 76, of Okmulgee, died July 17, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa.
Henry was born in Henryetta March 19, 1941 to Marceau and Louise Roland. He grew up and attended Schulter High School where he excelled in basketball and in the
classroom where he attained perfect attendance for his entire school career. He attended Connors State College on a basketball scholarship, attaining his Associate’s Degree while starting on the basketball team the 2 years he attended. He then transferred to East Central University where he completed his studies to become a highschool basketball coach and math, science and history teacher. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from East Central University and a attended Post Graduate
Doctoral work at Oklahoma University, Oklahoma State University, East Central University, Northeastern State University and the University of Tulsa.
Henry coached at three different schools - Sasakwa, Konawa and Beggs - and carried home 7 State Championships in his illustrious 39 year career. At his first school, Sasakwa, he won back-to-back State Championships in 1972 and 1973; at Konawa, he guided the Tigers to the1980 State Championship, a team that included his son Randy; and at Beggs, he directed two different back-to-back State Championship runs, the first two in 1990 and 1991, the third and fourth in 1993 and 1994. He ranks second in Oklahoma Boys Basketball History in number of wins with 896. He is one of the only coaches in State History to win State Championships at three different schools and in three different classes.
He coached many young men and women over his career which included numerous All-State and All Star Players, all of whom he held in high regard. He was a dedicated
public school educator and served in many roles over his career including Coach, Teacher, Principal, Superintendent, Drivers Ed Teacher, Mentor and many others. Thirteen seemed to be Henry’s number as he worked at each school 13 years, then retired from coaching in 2002. He began immediately working as a car salesman at James Hodge Chevrolet in Okmulgee, where we would also work for 13 years before completely retiring.
Henry was a member of the Oklahoma Coaches Association where we was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002, as well as the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2005. He was awarded Oklahoma Coach of the Year several times, was the Region 5 National Coach of the Year in 1982 and 1988 and was a National Finalist for Basketball Coach of the Year in 2002.
He married the love of his life, Charlene Dudley, Jan. 8, 1960. The two had two children, Randy and Shelly.
He was preceded in death by his parents Marceau and Louise Roland; his father and mother-in-law Charley and Juanita Dudley; his brother, Joe Roland; brother-in-law
Johnny Mabry; and brother and sister-in-law Doyle and Joyce Thomas.
Henry is survived by his wife, Charlene, of the home; son Randy Roland of Sand Springs; daughter Shelly Roland and Dane Smart of Wewoka; grandchildren Stevy and husband Brett Hill of Holdenville, Jake and wife Valeri Goodnight of Wanette, Charli Roland and fiancé BJ Mollett of Lawton, and Makayla Roland of Ohio; great-grandchildren Jaxon, Cade and Sophie Hill of Holdenville; sister Mary Mabry of Muskogee, Brother Marceau Roland Jr. of Wichtia Falls; sister-in-law Carol Roland; sister and brother-in-law Vickie and Art Sanders of Muskogee; as well as numerous other family members and friends.
A public viewing will take place from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2017 at Integrity Funeral Home, 410 East Trudgeon St. Henryetta, Oklahoma.
Funeral Services
honoring Henry’s life will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, July 22, 2017 at Integrity Funeral Home in Henryetta. Interment will follow at New Sonora Cemetery with Gordon Garner, A.J. Foster, Danny Schafer, Rick Norman, Mark Johnson, and Jake Goodnight serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers are all of his former basketball players from his 39 year career