Roland Dean Black

Roland Dean Black passed away in Hanford, CA on February 2, 2016 with his family by his side.

Roland was born on December 21, 1927 in Loretto, Nebraska to Clara (Bilstein) and Frank Black, he was the 6th of 7 children. Life was hard back in the depression and Roland had to learn to work hard at a very early age. Roland and brother, Duane helped to move their parents and youngest brother to Laton, California on February 28, 1947. Roland didn’t stay in California but went back to Nebraska and there in 1949 he proposed to the love of his life Norma Freeman; they married in O’Neil, Nebraska on May 28, 1949. They had two daughters, Carla and Retta, and then they moved to California in December of 1951. He and Norma were married for 53 years before she passed in 2002.

Roland loved to camp both in the mountains, and at the coast in Pismo. He built many dune buggies, then there were many trips to the dunes at Pismo Beach, and then moved on to riding a motorcycle in the dunes.

Roland was preceded in death by his wife; Norma, parents; Clara &Frank, sisters; Alta Johns & Ethel Miller, brothers; Bill, Leonard & Duane also by his granddaughter; Laura Jeanette Valko Vassure (Jay).

Roland is survived by his two daughters, Carla Farrell (Gif) of Hanford, CA and Retta Valko of Warren, MI; brother Don of Tulare, CA; his grandchildren Monica Farrell-Houston (Mike), Patrick Valko (Chanda) & Carrie Hassett (Brandon); his great-grandchildren Shannen Olsen (Nick), Kelly Houston, Cheyann Farrell-Hurlbut, Craig Houston, Devon Valko-Dib, Alexandra Hassett, Madison Rizzo, Saranne Farrell-Hurlbut, Cody Hassett, Hayden Vasseur, Peyton Vasseur, Griffin & Colten Valko; and great-great-grandsons, Riley, Archer & Wyatt Olsen.

A Celebration of Roland’s Life will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall; 5152 N. 11th Avenue, Hanford, CA, 93230, South of Excelsior Avenue on Saturday, February 6th at 10:00 A.M.

In Lieu of Flowers the family requests donations to be made to The American Cancer Society www.cancer.org or Alzheimer's Society; www.alzfdn.org

Family and Friends are invited to view Roland’s legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.

Services are under the direction of People’s Funeral Chapel.

PEOPLE’S FUNERAL CHAPEL

501 N. Douty Street * Hanford, CA 93230

559-584-5591 * www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com