George Monroe Roney Jr.

George Monroe Roney Jr was born November 13th, 1943, to George Monroe and Agnes Louise Roney Sr. in Indianapolis Indiana. He was the first of four children born to this Union. George accepted Christ at an early age and lived his life in accordance with his acceptance of on behalf of Christ. As his health declined, he couldn’t attend church as he would have liked, but he considered Barnes United Methodist Church as his church home. After graduation from Shortridge High School George attended Purdue University extension in Indianapolis Indiana. Consequently, the state of Indiana’s Department of Transportation offered him the position as a Design Engineer. Where he was charged with the development of plans for various projects areas of Highways within the state of Indiana. On March 06, 1965, George was united in marriage to Yvonne E. (Offutt) Roney in Indianapolis, Indiana with whom he shared 53 happy and glorious years prior to her death on October 10, 2018. This union was blessed with a loving son and daughter. As INDOT’s EEO and DBE Civil Rights Program Manager, George’s vision for the development of minority and female highway contractors, certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises, was transformative. He wrote the original program and regulations that ensured the fair administration of contract opportunities for DBEs. One feature that showed George’s foresight and understanding of the heavy highway market was the requirement that prime contractors “list” or name their DBEs with price and work items up front in the competitive bid process. To this day, “listing” is the hallmark of the INDOT DBE program. To help DBEs become more viable and improve profitability, in 1996, George implemented the Entrepreneurial Development Institute. Under Roney’s leadership, INDOT EDI became the gold standard for management and engineering education for developing successful DBEs. George was a resource for other DOT civil rights managers throughout the nation who drew upon his years of experience to determine how to interpret and apply Federal and state regulations. Because of George’s contributions, hundreds of minorities and female-owned businesses, who would not have otherwise participated in highway construction, have helped to build the crossroads of Indiana creating wealth and a better life for their families and employees. George devoted his life to his family and friends. While providing his family with a proper and loving upbringing. He worked for over 54 years with the Indiana Department of Transportation. He was loved, adored, and admired by immediate and extended families. George was known for his contagious smile, corny jokes, snappy comebacks but most of all his heart of GOLD. George Roney is survived by his brothers, Clarence E. Roney (Georgia), Frank L. Roney, and Kenneth D. Roney (Debra), and surrogate brother Hugh Triggs(Sophia). His loving son G. Kevin Roney and devoted daughter Michele Y. Roney. Surrogate daughters Tammie Waites and Bridgette Collins-George and a host of honorary grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.