John L. Roland

HIS LEGACY

”A good name (earned by honorable behavior, godly wisdom, moral courage, and personal integrity) is more desirable than great riches. And favor is better than silver and gold.” Proverbs 22:1 (AMP)

John L. Roland Jr. was born in Kodiak, Alaska on June 12, 1957. He was the first son, born in the marriage union of John L. Roland Sr. and Dorothy Bourn. During his childhood, John grew up in the Mt. Pleasant community of Cleveland Ohio, and attended Alexander Hamilton Junior High School and John F. Kennedy High School. Here is where he met and gained many cherished friendships.  As an athlete, John was known as one of the fastest track runners in both junior high and high school.  John also played football for the Mt. Pleasant Taco Luke Community League.

At JFK High School, John was a member of the football and track teams, and tennis club. He was also a chess tutor, sang with the JFK singing group “The Choralettes,” and was a member of the Executive Board of Student Body and National Honor Society.  In his senior year, John sang in the high school choir, and with the “Music Men” singing group.  He was a member of the All City Choir for two years and was voted to sing the National Anthem at all of the school assemblies. Amongst his peers, joyfully John was referred to as “the smart one.” Recognizing his top-notch qualities, his classmates voted him as “Most Mature – Superlatives.”  

With a lifetime insignia as a “JFK Fighting Eagle,” John was an alumnus of JFK’s Class of 1975. He  was actively involved in several committees. He was a member of the Annual JFK Picnic Committee and the R.A. Kidd (Coach Kidd) Scholarship Fund Fundraiser Committee, helping in the telethon to raise money. In 2022, John was the first commencement speaker at the newly built John F. Kennedy High School on Miles Rd.

After graduating high school, John received an academic scholarship to attend Ohio State University. After completing his first year of college at OSU, he returned to Cleveland to attend Chancellor University (formerly Dyke College). Graduating summa cum laude in May 1983, he received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting. John continued college to earn a Master of Science degree in Public Policy Financial Analysis and Management from Carnegie-Mellon University in 1985. 

After graduate school, John relocated to Virginia to pursue his career dreams as an Accountant and Financial expert.  With over 35 years of professional experience, John was recognized and sought after as an industry expert in the areas of Federal Financial Management, Federal Accounting Principles, and Implementation of Financial Management Systems, along with the preparation of External and Internal Financial Reporting and Financial Statements. He had extensive knowledge and experience in Practice Management, Project/Program Management, Client Management, and Full Lifecycle System Development. In his career, John worked on numerous federal contract projects with the Department of Transportation, Department of State, Library of Congress, USDA, FBI, and the American Institute in Taiwan. He retired as a Vice President at an IT Consultant firm headquartered in Bowie, Maryland.

In 2017, John launched his own company, Roland QBO Financials.  As the President and CEO,  John and his company was recognized in The Northern Virginia Magazine as “One of the Top Ten Financial Professionals of 2022.” His virtual accounting firm provided small businesses and individuals with accounting, bookkeeping, tax planning, tax preparation, payroll, and management consulting services.

Remaining passionate about mentoring and community involvement, John loved to teach, motivate, and encourage people of all ages, especially the younger generations. In 2020, John was a guest speaker for the Kamp Kappa Organization, a fraternity-wide outreach initiative for males between the ages of 10 and 16 years old in Washington DC and neighboring counties of Virginia and Maryland. Kamp Kappa is designed to foster cooperation, team building, and teach the principles and values of self-respect to the youth.

John enjoyed playing card games with his family and his two favorite games were “Skip-Bo” and “Uno.” He also liked science fiction shows.  John watched Star Trek growing up and as an adult, Star Wars movies.  His array of pastimes included watching college football games, putting together Lego buildings, listening to smooth jazz, and reading comic books.  John enjoyed singing as much as possible, including with the gospel group "The Tones of Joy" while worshipping at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Centreville, Virginia, and used his accounting skills to serve at other local churches in Gainesville, Virginia.

John is greatly loved by his family and today we are honoring a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle. He was a friend to many, including business clients and associates. A man of great integrity and compassion; he was someone who put others before himself and strived to make his family better. He was a humble man who was always quick to lend a helping hand and shared his wisdom generously with all who knew him. He was a loving father, who gave his children the best of everything, from guidance to support. As an uncle, he listened, laughed, and coached withholding nothing from motivation to correction. Being Granddad, he intentionally aimed to build confidence and self-worth, making room for a strong and solid foundation.  Most importantly he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and always prayed for wisdom to help nurture each one of these treasured relationships. To each relationship he gave his endless love. His presence will be sorely missed, but his memory will live on in our hearts forever.

May he rest in peace.

John is survived by his wife Janel, son-Gregory, daughter-Keairra, grandson-Jase, mother-Dorothy Ranch, brother-Faron Roland, sister-Tana Powell (Ted), nieces Alaina Carr (Ray), Halli Andrews (George), Taylor Roland, and great nieces Haidyn and Harlee Andrews, Reign Roland and a host of close family and friends.

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