Obituary of Roland E. Essex

Roland E. Essex, age 91 of Glen Mills, PA passed away on February 5, 2022 at Rose Court in Maris Grove. Born in Dover, NJ to Herman and Susan Hardesty Essex, Roland resided at Maris Grove Senior Living Community since 2007; previously residing in Newark, DE. He was a 20 year career veteran of the US Air Force as a Master Sergeant during the Korean and Vietnam era. Roland received his Associates degree from the University of Delaware, while he worked as an electronic technician for 17 years before retiring in 1985. He attended Brandywine Valley Baptist Church. Roland was fascinated with technology, an avid reader and photographer, loved traveling, and was a hobbyist inventor. At the age of 75, he jumped as a skydiver. He enjoyed time spent with his family, especially his grand-dog "Whitey". In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Laura E. Essex; his son, William Essex; his brother, Robert Essex, and his five sisters, Marion Ward, Dorothy Arnett, Carolyn Jester, Betty Sue Quillen, and Gloria Quillen. Roland is survived by his two sons, Jeffery (Nancy) Essex and David Essex; his three daughters, Debra (Dwayne) Blackburn, Susan (David) Jaycox, and Kathy Cameron, his two stepchildren, Dr. Wayne D. (Phyllis) Johnson, Cheryl (Greg) Ryle and two brothers, Kenneth (Joyce) Essex and Douglas Essex and brother in law William Quillen; fifteen grandchildren, eight step grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren and one step great-granddaughter. A graveside service will be held at 2PM on Thursday, March 10, 2022 at the chapel of Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 2465 Chesapeake City Rd, Bear, DE 19701. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roland's memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). Online condolences may be made by visiting www.paganofuneranlhome.com.