February 3, 1941 ~ October 22, 2021 (age 80)
Roland Lee Waits, 80, of Longmont, passed away at home on October 22, 2021, surrounded by his family and loved ones, after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.
Roland was affectionately known to all as "Ron," the name he unofficially adopted during his military service. Ron was born in Mangum, Oklahoma, the third son to Lonnie Omega Waits and Dolly Margueritte Waits on February 3, 1941. He grew up as one of seven children, with 3-brothers and 3-sisters. As a teen, he loved spending his time getting into mischief and tinkering with anything that had an engine. Ron was a 1959 graduate from Mary Brantly Smiley High School in Houston, TX. After graduation he joined the United States Marine Corps and attended bootcamp in San Diego. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and was a Marine to the end.
On June 6, 1966, he began his nearly 40-year career with IBM in Boulder, where he started as a maintenance technician and received numerous promotions to conclude his years of service as a Safety Engineer. Ron is survived by his wife of 47-years, Suzan, daughters, Ronda (Morey), Lisa (Pete), Jessica, and his sons, Daniel and Roland (Karin). As a family they loved camping, scouting, 4-H, and gardening. Ron loved helping others, spending time out in his garage, and tinkering with anything that moved. Being a kind and dependable father and friend was of the utmost importance to Ron and he certainly did not disappoint when it came to wholeheartedly loving his family.
In addition to his wife and children, Ron is survived by 10 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers (Shelby and Jesse). He was preceded in passing by his parents, a brother, 3 sisters, and granddaughter, Amanda. The funeral service will be held at Carroll-Lewellen Funeral Home on November 3, 2021 at 2pm. There will be visitation at the same location beginning at 1-2pm. His family will be present to welcome loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to americancancerfund.org.
