Kennedy Clay Roland

Kennedy Clay (“Kenny” or “P-Nut”) Roland, a lifelong resident of Lockhart, died suddenly but peacefully in his sleep at home on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, at the young age of 52. He was born on Aug. 16, 1962.
Lockhart born and raised, Kenny was educated in the Lockhart public school system and graduated from Lockhart High School in 1980. He was a great athlete, and play

ed three varsity sports – football, basketball and track. His classmates have fond and wonderful memories of the great times they shared.
Kenny was very driven by hard work and the opportunity to better his life, and the lives around him. He started working at Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative (BEC) on Sept. 16, 1980. He was a journeyman lineman and construction crew supervisor who would have marked his 35th anniversary with BEC later this year.
There wasn’t one day that Kenny ever complained about going to work. He loved his company, his co-workers and his customers; BEC was his second home, and he shared a brotherhood and sisterhood that words cannot explain. He went to work smiling and came home smiling, because every day was a good day!
Kenny was also a licensed contractor and homebuilder. He built three homes in the Lockhart area over the years. It was his passion, and what he wanted to do upon his retirement from BEC.
A natural born leader, both at work and in Lockhart, Kenny had goals, aspirations, vision and dreams. He became the first African-American to be elected to the City Council, and he proudly served the community as District 1 Councilmember from 1998-2010, and as At Large Councilmember from 2013 until 2015. In the words of US Representative Lloyd Doggett, “Kenny was passionate about public service and a true believer in giving back to his community. He was proud of his heritage and his community and constantly worked to the betterment of his city and the lives of his neighbors.”
In 2004, he organized the first MLK Parade in Lockhart, which had a record high attendance of approximately 450 people this year. In addition, he founded District 1 Pride, a non-profit organization that fosters greater community involvement and unity.
Kenny is a “record setter,” for sure! There were approximately 3,000 people in attendance at his viewing and funeral, which is a true testament to the legacy he left behind, the lives he touched, and the love we all had for this truly amazing man.
As we mourn this great loss and untimely death, also remember his big hugs, magnetic personality, encouraging words, his laughter, and always, his beautiful smile.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Catherine (Howshan) Roland, and their daughter, Kennedy Cecelia Roland, of Lockhart; three brothers: Harold Dean Roland, Clay Douglas Roland and James Polk Roland, all of Dale; four sisters: Margie Thompson, of San Antonio, Margaret Pansy and husband, Wallace, and Yvette Manning and husband, Carey, of Lockhart, and Edna Roland, of Austin; his in-laws, Mr. and Mrs. David Howshan, of Concord, Mass.; brother-in-law, David Howshan and wife, Jen, of Salisbury, Mass.; and sister-in-law, Christine Belanger and husband, Kevin, of Haverhill, Mass.; 26 nieces and nephews, 31 great-nieces and nephews, and 10 great-grand nieces and nephews, as well as many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, Preston Roland, Jr., his mother, Joe Irene (Walker) Roland, and his brother, Wallace Ray Swan.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude and deep appreciation for the outpouring of love, kindness, generosity and support shown during this difficult time. We are especially grateful to Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative for all of their generosity throughout this difficult time.
Kenny would now expect every one of us to continue the legacy that he started, and he would want us to do it with a smile!
The family requests that memorial donations in Kenny’s honor be made payable to District 1 Pride, c/o Frank Gomillion, 432 Trinity St., Lockhart, Texas, 78644.