Roland Lee Bobinger passed from this life in Arlington, TX on to his heavenly home on August 17th, 2022, while being held by his loving wife Susan and his precious sister, Anna Lois.

Roland was born April 10,1951, in Gulfport, Mississippi. Roland grew up on the beautiful Mississippi Gulf Coast, and attended Gulfport High School. He met Susan Hosch during the 10th grade. They married on June 5th, 1970 – graduation night. Hurricane Camille devastated the coast in August of 1969, causing graduation to be delayed. They were destined to be married for over 52 years, which must have surprised their friends and family. Two passionate people who adored and cherished each other through thick and thin.

Roland loved being a REALTOR Broker for over 30 years in Arlington, TX. Before moving to Texas in 1987, he was a multi-line Master insurance agent with Nationwide Insurance for over 15 years.

Roland loved life and enjoyed it to the fullest! At age 15, he was the youngest accredited Camellia judge in America, which is no small feat as there are over 200 varieties. Many gardens on the coast were featured in Southern Living's Tours for the best Camellia blooms in the country. He was also an avid racquet ball player. During those years, he and his doubles partner, James Schlicher, often beat the regional pros brought in to entertain the viewers. It was quite fun to watch! Being a blackbelt in karate, James could do the splits better than most cheerleaders, and taught Roland the art.

Roland had a fierce competitive spirit, always going above and beyond, not settling for second best. He was a tough guard - number 61 - on his High School football team, THE COMMODORES. They were recognized within the region for their winning and toughness. The coach would often have Roland lead calisthenics, as Roland would drive the guys (often until they puked.) If he got injured during a game, coach would have him taped up and sent back in. He could lift weights with the bigger guys and often times out-lifted them. When climbing the big rope hanging from the gym ceiling, he would reverse himself and go up backwards, then tap the ceiling and come down with legs out - just to be the best.

He also loved and excelled at water sports. He mastered the art of the barefoot deep water start when water skiing. He often dove from the highest trees on the river; synchronizing swan dives with his buddy. Yes, he was competitive, not a quitter! In 2000, he and his buddies, John Marsicano and Bruce Roberts became certified Boat Captains. They enjoyed the art and science of bareboat sailing to exotic places like the British Virgin Islands, St. Martin/St Marteen, and Belize. Life was exciting!

He ran his race with cancer the same stamina, never complaining. When asked how he was doing, his response was always FANTASTIC! In 2001, at age 50, he was diagnosed with stage IV renal cell cancer. A pear sized bone tumor was removed from his right forearm. The bone was replaced with a cadaver bone in an allograft procedure. He then survived a right nephrectomy, removing a grapefruit sized tumor and his right kidney. At that time, he was given only 18 months to live, but God had other plans! He prayed that he would live to see his grandchildren, and bought a sailboat. Sailing proved to be just what he needed, lots of sunshine and peaceful lake sailing.

Then beginning in 2003, the scans began to reveal pancreatic abnormalities. We enjoyed vacation trips to Maui, bought a timeshare and later enjoyed years with the grandkids. On March 21, 2007 – his darling granddaughter's 4th birthday - he even become certified in open water scuba diving on Maui. Then that year a wasp stung him on his lip causing him to be dizzy enough to get a brain scan. God used this to reveal two inoperable brain stem renal cell lesions. Our church elders prayed for him, and rather than have whole brain radiation, we learned about stereotactic radiation called Cyberknife. Dr Peter LaNasa treated one metastatic lesion to the Pons area and another lesion in the vermis area, successfully causing those tumors to shrink and die. But this radiation left him with nerve pain to his right side and ended his racquet ball days.

Then in January of 2021, he again proved he was a fighter. He was care-flighted from Methodist Mansfield ER to Baylor Vascular in Dallas for an emergency aortic aneurysm and dissection. This is a catastrophic high blood pressure disorder which most people do not survive. During that care flight, he had a near death experience. He saw a bright light - his life flashed before him, and then he felt peace. A major custom stint was surgically implanted. God was still not finished with him! He felt called to start a Biblical Citizenship group at our church - his "for such a time as this" moment. He had almost fully recovered when we learned the cancer was roaring back, and now in both lobes of his liver. When surgery to remove the many lesions was not possible, he was told a nuclear medicine bead embolization might be his only chance. On 5/24/22, he walked into Baylor at 201 pounds for the outpatient procedure. He never really recovered and lost over 30 pounds in 2 & ½ months. This proved to be God's timing for a transition to heaven. No more pain and suffering! He finished his race, deserved the rest, and now has a glorious new body.

Both his mother, Eula Mae Broussard Bobinger and father, Alvin Andy Bobinger preceded him in death. Roland is survived by his adoring wife, Susan Bobinger, their daughter, Tisa Zellers, grandchildren – Abby and Quinn Zellers, his sisters Sandra Kendall (Johnny) and Anna Lois Gilbert (Rick), and brother Roy Dale Bobinger. Plus many loving friends who were like family.

Our hearts are broken but we know we will see him again! He would say, "Be sure and vote, our country needs to get back to Biblical values". Our creator gave us the best rules to live by because He loves us, and He knows best.

There will be a CELEBRATION OF LIFE ceremony on Saturday, September 24th from 2pm-4pm in the Worship Center at Grace Community Church in Arlington. The address is 801 West Bardin Rd. Arlington, TX 76017.

Those wishing to honor Roland's memory, please consider donating to PATRIOT ACADEMY. They are leading the way in training the next generation of leaders to Champion Freedom. Every dollar goes towards equipping and inspiring young leaders to lead the change.

https://www.patriotacademy.com/donate

Or by check made payable to Patriot Academy, then mailed to:

Patriot Academy
P.O. Box 586
Dripping Springs, TX 78620