Roland Lee Connelly, Sr.

MT. GILEAD - Roland Lee Connelly, Sr., 78, passed away at his home, surrounded by loved ones on July 4, 2024. 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, July 13, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Mount Gilead with Rev. Kevin Taylor officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. 

 Burial will be at 3:00 PM on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at Alamance Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, NC with military honors. 

Roland was born November 30, 1945, to Wilbur Wesley Connelly, Sr. and Edith Logan Lee Connelly in Spartanburg, South Carolina. In addition to his parents, Roland is predeceased by his son, Christopher Barrett Connelly. Roland was an Eagle Scout and received his Masters of Color Science degree from Clemson University. Living in Greensboro for many years, he was a member of Alamance Presbyterian Church; after retiring to Lake Tillery, Roland attended First Baptist Church in Mount Gilead, where he served as president of the board of deacon. He was a member and past president of the Mount Gilead Civitan Club and the Fairway Shores Homeowners Association. He served on the Montgomery County planning board. He was President of the Hemophilia of NC (now known as Bleeding Disorders Foundation of NC. He was on the Board of Directors to establish and build the Ronald McDonald House in Chapel Hill.

He is survived by his darling wife of 57 years, Lynn, his beloved son, Lee (Roland Lee Connelly, Jr) of Kernersville, his brother, W. Wesley Connelly, Jr. and wife Patricia of Cummings, Georgia, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. He was adored and will be missed by his constant companion, Maggie.

Although Roland was native to South Carolina and thrived at Clemson University and was a long-time transplant to North Carolina. He served in the U.S. Army as a 1st Lieutenant. Roland and Lynn married in 1967 and have been a cherished love story ever since.

Roland began his color career as color lab manager at Burlington Industries, and then started his own company, SheLyn. SheLyn was purchased in turn by other, larger, companies in the industry. Roland was keenly engaged in supporting industries to manage color QC correctly. He was key to implementing standardized methods to evaluate and communicate information related to color. Roland’s activity in the standards organizations meant that his contributions were not limited to a single company. Instead, his work benefited all industries that control color.

Roland was a brilliant and curious scientist, and an engaging teacher in the field of color science. Roland’s professional and extra-curricular activities were marked by leadership and service. He was active in ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), ISCC (Inter-Society Color Council), and AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists). He held technical and leadership positions in these organizations, including serving as President of both ISCC and AATCC. He also received the AATCC Chapin Award for Service, the AATCC Technical Committee on Research Award, the AATCC Education Award, and the ISCC Macbeth Award for outstanding contributions in the field of color. In retirement, Roland served on the board of Hunter Lab, a leading supplier of color evaluation hardware and software. He was a frequent lecturer and author of numerous papers on topics as Lighting, Colorant Formulation, Quality Control, Supply Chain Management, and Instrumental UV Calibration. He served many years as the US spokesman for color measurement in ISO TC38, Textiles

Anyone who has had the pleasure of being in Roland and Lynn’s orbit will know that they are the warmest hosts, the most generous friends, and the most helpful humans when you need something. If you need a tool, or a ride, or a boat ride on the lake, or a peach daiquiri, they are ready to assist. Every community which has been lucky enough to intersect with Roland and Lynn has seen their stewardship, commitment, and skills. Roland was committed to technical organizations during his working life, and he demonstrated the same engagement with River Keepers, Civitan’s, Fairway Shores, local faith community, and more.

Roland will be deeply missed by all who knew him and loved him. Roland’s affection for Clemson University and his commitment to education can be supported by contributing to the Connelly/Perkins Graduate Fellowship at Clemson University. https://members.aatcc.org/store/conperk/2440

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to First Baptist Church P.O. Box 207 Mt. Gilead, NC 27306, The Connelly/Perkins Fellowship Fund at Clemson University, ATT Foundation P.O. Box 12215 Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, or Hospice of Stanly and the Uwharrie 960 North 1st Street Albemarle, NC 28001

This note from a long-time colleague captures the spirit of Roland and Lynn Connelly: “Whenever I was in their presence, Lynn and Roland always brought lightness and goodness. To know and work with them has been a privilege that I will not forget.”

The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home in Wadesboro and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com