Roland Gite

Roland Anthony Gite, 83, of Houston, TX went home to His Lord and Savior Sunday 11/8/2015 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Roland was born 3/23/1932 to Cleveland Joseph Gite and Cora Lee Lafore in Beaumont, TX. He graduated from the China High School in China Texas. The youngest of fourteen children and from a farming family, he learned the value of work ethics early. Roland was mechanically inclined and could repair just about anything. He was not afraid of hard work, Roland's persistence and diligence was self-evident working at FMC Technologies for many years. Roland started out as a Custodial Sweeper, sweeping up the metal shavings from the machining equipment. As time progressed, so did his knowledge and experience becoming one of FMC Technologies top Machinist, receiving a number of accolades and awards. He was most passionate about gardening and fishing. He possessed a green thumb (no doubt from his Father), Roland could grow anything and was a wealth of information and always willing to share or teach what he knew. Family, and friends would look forward to the bounty from his gardens, especially in the fall when it was grapefruit and pecan time. All of his children are blessed to enjoy this tradition of gardening, which has been transferred to another generation. Roland's passion was fishing. If there was free time he was either on the pier or on the water in Galveston fishing with family or friends. His fishing buddies say he was a good listener and always gave good advice. When he could no longer go on his own, his dear friend Mr. Finely would come by and pick him up. Roland wanted everyone to know how blessed he was by the love of his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 59 years, Louise Whalen (Gite) (2014). Children, Ronald Mark (2014), Martin Wayne (1969) and Jennifer Ann (1968). Roland is survived by his loving sister, Ollie Mae (Gite) Dugar (age 96) who has always been there to watch out for him from birth. He will be missed by his children and their (Spouse): Reginald (Myra), Renard (Kaye), Christopher (Natalie), and Alesia Gite Coy (Rivét), Grandchildren: Gabrielle, Gerald, Jennifer ,Haley,Olivia, Nina, Julian, Joshua, Meah, Erin and Sofia. Great Grandchildren: Gerald Jr., Jerome, Cruz, Christian, Andres, Isabella and Dominick and of course by all the nieces, nephews, and distant cousins.