Roland Cain and son, Russell
Roland Sample Cain, 92, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family and friends on February 2, 2012. Mr. Cain was a long time resident of Trinity Shores in Port Lavaca.
He was born July 24, 1919 in E. St. Louis, Illinois to the late Robert L. Cain and Mae Layton Cain. He is predeceased by his beloved wife Virginia Dora Cain after 62 years of marriage; also, brothers Donald Cain, Robert Cain; and sister Eileen Cain.
Roland is survived by his four children, Russell Cain and wife Cherre of Port Lavaca, Barbara Kolodzie and husband Mark, Alan Cain and wife Teresa and Sharon Smalley, all of Victoria; 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren as follows: Autumn and Ryann Smalley, and Caden and Kara Reed of Richmond, TX, Chris and Keilan Navarro, Jazmine Beckham, Donovan Oliver, Jack Alan and Charlie Roland Cain, and Sample Parker Cain, all of Victoria, Travis and Walker Wortham of Dallas, TX, and Alvia, Tres, and Josephine Jons of Kerrville, TX.
Also surviving are his sisters, Joan Levandowski and Gloria Doyle of Swansea, IL; his nieces and nephews, Cheryl Pride of Swansea, IL, Stella and Oliver Wischmeyer of Easton, PA, Roland and Betty Levandowski of Bethesda, MD, Janet and Walter Welch, and Gloria and James Middleton, all of Springfield, IL, Terry and Marry Harris of Collinsville, IL, and Kenny Harris of Belleville, IL.
Mr. Cain graduated Magnum Cum Laude from McKendree College with a degree in Chemistry. He enjoyed a long career of 44 years with Alcoa in Point Comfort, TX as Chief Chemist. He served in the U.S. Army, WWII in the European Theatre in Italy, Germany and France. In 2010, Congressman Ron Paul presented Mr. Cain with the distinguished WWII medals that he never received while in service. He was Past Commander of the VFW Post in Port Lavaca and also served as President of the Point Comfort Boat Club, Toast Masters, and Point Comfort Little League.
Virginia and Roland were honored by their children many times. At their 53rd Anniversary they were given honorary membership in the Matagorda Island Foundation, also benches were designed and given by their children at Magnolia Beach. Roland was a recipient of the Rotary International Paul Harris Award. Since 1996 Roland and Virginia Cain Scholarships for Golf and Engineering have been a blessing to many Calhoun County graduates.
Services for Roland Cain were held February 6, 2012 at Grace Episcopal Church in Port Lavaca with Canon Father Robert Dewolfe and Father Robert Johnston officiating. Burial, under the direction of VFW Post 4403 and the American Legion, followed at Greenlawn Cemetery in Port Lavaca.
Pallbearers were grandsons Dwayne Smalley, Scott Smalley, Chad Whitlock, Matt Cain, Jared Cain, Wheeler Cain, and Clint Cain.
Honorary Pallbearers were granddaughters Kristen Navarro, Marcy Reed, Holly Whitlock, Kelle Wortham and Kamme Jons.
Mr. Cain was devoted for seven years to Anabel Carriles, appreciating her dedicated friendship and all she did for him, showing him grace and understanding. The family also thanks Mary Anne Carriles and Marcy Carriles for always sacrificing their time for his needs.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions can be made to VFW Post 4403, Port Lavaca and the Calhoun County Animal Shelter. The family appreciates the extended courtesies show to their father during his extended stay at Trinity Shores.
