May 25, 1937 – March 30, 2022
Roland D. Roach Sr., 84, of LaPlant passed away Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were April 13, 2022 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte with Fr. John Paul Trask presiding. Burial was in the Roach Family Cemetery at LaPlant.
Roland D. Roach was born on May 25, 1937 to Elizabeth Yellow Owl and Anthony Roach. He grew up in Cherry Creek and went to school there until he began high school at Cheyenne River Boarding School. Roland worked on ranches near Cherry Creek. He loved rodeos, bronc rides and later, roping and old men’s roping.
In late 1959 he met Barbara Lee. Roland and Barbara had six children — Franny, Roland Jr., Brian, Shane, Ronald, and Cammy. They lived in Cherry Creek and were actively involved in the Catholic church there. He was also involved with the Tekawitha Conference that goes all over the world, and Roland brought it to Cherry Creek. He was the president of different organizations. He and Madonna Abdalla began working on getting the blue gym for the community of Cherry Creek. He was on the School Board and CRST Telephone Board. He was a state champion horseshoe player and was always honored by his family. His sons also honor him by their love for the game of horseshoes.
Roland and Barbara moved to LaPlant in 1989 and he worked for the CRST Prairie Management Program. He became good friends with Jamie White Eyes and was always grateful that Jamie helped him get his G.E.D. certificate. Roland was involved in family activities, outings, camping, fishing, powwows.
In 2010 a group called Simply Smiles came to LaPlant and Roland became very close to Bryan Nurnberger, who was a member of the group. He became a special person in Roland’s life and he and Barbara referred to Bryan as their adopted takoja. Bryan renovated their house for them in the country and always wanted them to be comfortable. Roland always called him as “my good man.”
Roland became ill and had his loving family by his side in his last days. If you knew Roland, you knew that he never had a bad word to say about anyone. He had many friends and relatives and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sons Roland Jr., Brian, Shane, and Ronnie; daughters Franny and Cammy; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Annabelle, Rosie and June; one brother, Mike; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, and numerous relatives.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.