Kent William Rollmann

Kent William Rollmann was born in Jefferson City, Missouri on January 20, 1931, the only surviving son of Henry and Blanche Rollmann. He was welcomed home by his heavenly Father on July 29, 2023. Kent was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Timothy Kent Rollmann. In 1941 Kent and his parents moved to Sherman, Texas where Henry was called into service to teach weather to WWII pilots at Perrin Field. Henry reached the rank of Captain and received his pilot’s license during that time. Kent dreamed of one day following in his father’s footsteps and flying for the Air Force. However, because of a boyhood accident with an exploding firecracker on his shoulder, he was kept from entering the service. After the war, Henry took a job with Phillips Petroleum Company and the family moved to Borger, Texas. In 1947, they transferred to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where Henry worked as a physicist for Phillips. Kent graduated from Bartlesville College High School in 1949 and attended Harding College in Searcy, AR until his graduation in 1953. During breaks from school, he and a friend would hitchhike home with truck drivers on I-40. If they could get to Tulsa, his parents would drive the extra 50 miles to pick them up. While at Harding, he immediately noticed Norma Lou Hamilton and kept his eye on her all four years, dating her occasionally. After graduating with a degree in chemistry, he attended the University of Oklahoma to get his master’s degree. Fortunately, Norma Lou moved to Oklahoma City with a friend and Kent would drive over from Norman to visit her on the weekends. After putting a ring on her finger, they were married on August 28, 1954 and enjoyed a long, loving life together for 68 years, just one month shy of their 69th anniversary. Accepting a job with Phillips Petroleum company, the young couple moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1956. Kent worked as a research chemist and obtained seven patents in the area of synthetic rubber and plastics. In 1957 Kent and Norma Lou welcomed their son Tim, and their daughter Kristy in 1958. Kent loved building and flying model airplanes, cooking breakfast every morning for his family, playing with the kids, reading the Bible to his family after supper each night, and planning trips across the country. The family’s favorite vacation together was a 2- week trip across the western United States in 1973. Kent and Norma Lou attended Limestone Church of Christ in Bartlesville, a close and loving family that produced lifelong friendships. The couple taught Bible classes and Kent was a deacon for many years. They had an unwavering heart for those who did not know Jesus. Over the course of their marriage, they studied with many seekers, Kent baptizing dozens of people into Christ. Only God knows how many have been brought into the Kingdom because of Kent’s steadfast pursuit of the lost. In 1993, after Kent’s retirement from Phillips Petroleum Company, the couple moved to Searcy, Arkansas so they could be involved with their alma mater, Harding University. Kent joined the President’s Council and Norma Lou was a member of AWH (Associated Women for Harding). They were active members of the Westside Church of Christ where they made many loving connections over the last 30 years. While living in Searcy, Kent enjoyed playing golf and going for long walks, but his grandson Ty and granddaughter Alex were one of the greatest joys of his life. He bought a minivan in order to take the family on trips together. Branson, Disney World, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Alaska, Washington and Oregon were just a few of the trips Kent enjoyed with his family. He and Norma Lou also experienced wonderful trips to England, Scotland, Italy, Canada and Alaska together. Kent is survived by his daughter, Kristy Shelton and son-in-law Cliff of Duluth, GA, his grandson Tyler Shelton (Duluth, GA) and granddaughter Alexandra Turner and her husband Coe (Rogers, AR). He is also survived by countless brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Kent walked with the Lord from his first breath to his last. Near the end of every prayer he would say, “Help us to be more like Jesus every day.” That was his lifelong goal. He was a kind, quiet, and generous man, who embodied the words of Jesus concerning Nathanael, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!” There was no guile in Kent Rollmann—he was a man of honesty and integrity. He loved his wife deeply, loved his children and grandchildren, and loved his Lord. “Well done, good and faithful servant! …Come and share your Master’s joy!” (Matthew 25:23) A private graveside service for immediate family has been planned. And in the future, when the love of his life joins him in glory, a celebration of their lives will be held at the Westside Church of Christ.

Kent William Rollmann

January 20, 1931 - July 29, 2023