Obituary: Roland Heaton
 | Author:
Dee Gannon
MT43 News Correspondent |
Roland Heaton
Dee Gannon
Roland Harold Heaton (08/31/1946 to 04/21/2025) passed away at Fort Harrison VA Hospital of pneumonia.
“Who’s that guy on the tractor with all the flags?” Said no one if they live or shop in Townsend. We all know who that (in)famous fella is; it’s Roland!
Yep, Roland Heaton was a staple in Townsend, a true community lover, a volunteer extraordinaire. A heart as big as the community he served. A leader (without ever admitting it) who spread sunshine wherever he went. Someone whom everyone respected. He knew how to fix everything; just ask Birdi Kribs at the Birds Nest. They worked together for at least 15 years. He followed her through at least three of her locations. He did so much, and he always had a hammer, screwdriver, drill or saw in his hands.
In his spare time, he was a member of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars; a board member at both the Food Pantry and Helping Hands Townsend. He worked with Dee Gannon to begin the First Responders’ Benefit. He helped so many people and organizations that we will never know about; he was that humble. Every parade (or every opportunity), you’d see him riding his red, white, and blue Snapper tractor with the American flag, P.O.W. flag, and American Legion flag flying high! He was so patriotic! He was not embarrassed or shy about it either. He was a Veteran; having served during the Vietnam War (1964-1971), in Thailand, Vietnam and even Germany. His MOS was a mechanic, but of course, he did so many other things. In his own words, “I was the best ‘requisition officer’ the Army ever had.” Again, serving all in need.
He moved his family from L.A. to Montana, to give his children a better life and he did just that. He worked at Burger King, Walmart, and St. Peter’s Hospital, and then retired from having to make money, to living with his wife, in service to his community, moving to Townsend.
His wife Shirley died in 2013. He never fell out of love with her.
In 2010, he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, beginning treatment in 2011. After rounds of radiation and chemotherapy, even surgery, he earned remission. It reared its ugly head again in 2020. Cancer may have slowed him down physically but only strengthened his faith.
He was a strong Christian. He was raised Catholic, but that didn’t stop him. He knew he could garner something out of every service that he attended, so he attended as many as he could fit into his schedule. He was glad to share his faith as well. He was someone to whom others came for guidance, advice and support. People heeded his advice, too; they knew if Roland said it, it was true and from his heart. He didn’t ‘spout’ scripture, but if you needed to hear something, he would tell you. If it came from the Bible, all the better. He spent hours engrossed in the Bible, looking for answers or just comfort. He was the most Spiritual person this reporter ever met. His motto was “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
If you want to know more about this amazing, loving man, he was interviewed by Rick Dancer. His story, in his own words, are available at https://youtube.com/live/fQFcnrtqdRY?si=DgshR3SEyteQ1E2L
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Shirley, and his son, Carl.
He is survived by his son, Willie, Willie’s ex-wife, Jenn, their children, Rebecca, Tori, Emily, and Miah. Carl’s children, Alisia, Danille, Carl Jr. His daughter Gena, and her daughter, Jamie, as well as his bonus daughter, Jade. He had several great-grandchildren.
Services will be at Mountain Valley Church, 110 E Street, Townsend, Montana, 11 a.m. on May 17. Luncheon will follow in the Fellowship Hall. The date and time for the internment at Fort Harrison to be announced.
Look for his tractor and trailer to be in their usual place at Broadway and Pine by the Birds Nest.
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PhotoCredit: Photo Credit: Dee Gannon
Image 1 Caption: Roland Heaton
Photo Credit: Dee Gannon
