On August 26, 2020, we lost a wonderful family member and friend, Roland Edward Reagan.
Roland was born on October 26, 1942 in Montgomery, Alabama to Roland Sr. and Ora Nell (Thompson) Reagan. Growing up in Montgomery, Roland loved to fish, hunt, and play football. He proudly graduated from Auburn University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree and again in 1969 with a master’s degree. Roland then attended North Carolina State University receiving a doctorate in Aquaculture in 1973. Roland spent his career as a professor at Mississippi State University where he earned the rank of full-professor through exemplary teaching, research and service to his profession. He helped cultivate a passion for Biological Sciences in many graduate students.
In 2003, Roland moved to Butte to marry the love of his life, Rosemary McNellis. Roland loved living in Butte. He especially loved learning about the mining history of the area, driving through the Big Hole and Wise River valleys, and describing Butte’s weather to friends and family not living in Montana. Roland was a member of the Southwest Montana Church of Christ and was passionate about preaching God’s word to the church. Roland was an avid reader and enjoyed discussing books with anyone who was interested.
Roland is survived by his wife Rosemary Reagan of Butte; his sister Jo Anne Woociker (Sam) of Enterprise, Florida; brother Raymond Reagan of Montgomery, Alabama; a special cousin Gail Hartin of Potterville, Michigan; sister-in-law Ginger (Bob) Toivonen of Butte, Montana; sister-in-law Margie McNellis of Helena, Montana; sister-in-law Barbara (Joe) Comfort of Turah, Montana; brother-in-law Jim McNellis of Tacoma, Washington; stepsons Allen (Bobbie) Chatriand of East Wenatchee, WA; Craig Chatriand of Pocatello, ID; Paul (Tamrah) Chatriand of Helena, MT; and numerous nephews, nieces, and grandkids. He was preceded in death by his parents Roland Sr. and Ora Nell Reagan.
Donations can be made in Roland’s name to:
Albert’s Angel Fund
C/O 699 Centennial Ave
Butte, MT 59701
or
Pintler Pets
80 Silver St.
Anaconda, MT 59711
Visitation will be held at 10 AM, followed by a memorial service, beginning at 11 AM on Tuesday, September 1st, 2020, at Southwest Montana Church of Christ, 601 Evans Ave in Butte. A graveside service will follow at Mount Moriah Cemetery on South Montana Avenue in Butte.
Please visit below to offer a condolence or share a memory of Roland. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to care for Roland and his family.
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2020
Southwest Montana Church of Christ
601 Evans Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2020
Southwest Montana Church of Christ
601 Evans Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Graveside Service
Following Mass
Tuesday September 1, 2020
Mount Moriah Cemetery on South Montana Ave in Butte
,
Service Schedule
Visitation
10:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2020
Southwest Montana Church of Christ
601 Evans Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Memorial Service
11:00 a.m.
Tuesday September 1, 2020
Southwest Montana Church of Christ
601 Evans Ave
Butte, Montana 59701
Graveside Service
Following Mass
Tuesday September 1, 2020
Mount Moriah Cemetery on South Montana Ave in Butte
,
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Harry Jacobson says
I was a colleague of Roland’s at Mississippi State and had many enjoyable times and discussions with him in the 20 some years we taught together in the Wildlife and Fisheries Department. I always appreciated his quite demeanor and subtle humor. We had many laughs together with other faculty at our daily trips with our Department Head, Dr. Arner, for a morning buttermilk at the Student union coffee shop. Roland was a wonderful friend and a great mentor to his students.
Rick Kaminski says
I hope this message connects with heaven to inform Dr. Arner and Ms. Julia that our friend and colleague, Roland, has passed. Roland was a brilliant geneticist and a gentleman colleague. Moreover, Roland could humor most people, as well as bring closure to faculty debate with his assertive words, PRESS ON! I’m still chuckling remembering Roland saying PRESS ON during Jess Muncy’s many bewildering rants about this or that, such as replacing light bulbs in faculty offices. I can still see Dr. Arner trying relentlessly to follow Jess’s rants during faculty meetings. Roland, we love you and thanks for your camaraderie. And Randy, I know you’ll never forget our faculty meeting, when you were department head, at the dude ranch near Brooksville, when Dr. Arner lost his hearing aide in the swimming pool and he and Roland accidentally (perhaps) activated the pay TV for viewing some unmentionable programs. God bless all and Roland RIP. Rick
Frank Whisler Ethel Whisler ; says
We will always remember Roland as a dear friend. He had an office in Dorman on the first floor and my husband had one on the fourth. We were, also, longtime friends from church . After he left here, we’d occasionally speak on facebook when he shoveled snow or showed the beautiful scenery in Montana. Rosemary, we are so sorry for your loss. He loved you and your children. He had the kindest heart and we are so glad he met you. Those years were his happiest ones. May God bless and comfort your whole family.
Valinda (Creech) Smith says
So sorry to learn of the sudden loss of Dr. Reagan. I worked for the MSU Wildlife and Fisheries Dept. from my late teens through early twenties (1977-mid-’80’s) as a high school then MSU student. Later, he was a member of the Starkville church of Christ, along with my parents so I visited with him at church services from time-to-time when visiting them. We were Facebook friends, so I kept up with him. Our condolences to all of his family.
Paul R Picard says
Dr. Reagan was my advisor when I was a student at Mississippi State. I remember him taking as much time as I ever needed to sort out a schedule or other student/advisor issue. Dr. Reagan never acted as if he needed to wrap our many meetings up and I always came away feeling better afterwards. Thank you Dr. Reagan for helping and caring about me at State. Godspeed as you continue in your eternal journey
Chris Stahl says
I took several classes under Dr Reagan and always enjoyed them. He was very knowledgeable and caring for all of the students. He was always around to provide good advise when ever asked. A real fun guy to have on trips and always knew what were the best BarBQ stops to make.
Lou D'Abramo says
At Misissippi State University, in the Depatment of Wildlife, Fishereies and Aquaculture, Roland was indeed a special colleague who manifested a genuine interest in education (he was responsible for the early development of the aquaculture undergraduate curriculum) as well as the success of new faculty and graduate students. He guided and molded. You listended when he spoke. He possessed a sharp intellect looking beyond the mundane in his research endeavors. He never deviated from a professional life of humility, caring and giving. He was a gentleman and a scholar. The journey of life on Earth has sadly ended, but he now has become part of eternal peace and happiness. My condolences to his wife and members of his family.
Michael Murphy says
I worked for Dr, Reagan at MSU in the mid 1980’s. Dr. Reagan was a great boss and a great friend. I learned a lot from him, and remember his guidance and his good humor. My sincere best wishes to his family and everyone who knew him.