Roland Lloyd Raber

Roland Raber laid down his burden and entered into the joy of his Lord early Easter morning, April 8, 2012, from his residence at Avamere at Waterford in Medford, Ore. He was 91 years old. The first born of Morris Raber and Ida Lloyd, Roland was born May 3, 1920, in Corvallis, Ore. His family later settled in the Rogue River, Ore., area, and he graduated from Gold Hill High School, Gold Hill, Ore., in 1938. Shortly thereafter, he began work at Rogue River Orchards in Medford. In 1941, he began dating Barbara Purrier, whom he loved for a lifetime. Roland enlisted in the U.S. Navy in early 1942, and served on several ships in the Pacific Campaign. As a fire controlman, he was responsible for aiming the ship's big guns. In the Battle of Kula Gulf in 1943, he survived the sinking of the U.S.S. Helena. In the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1945, he was wounded during a kamikaze attack on the U.S.S. California, and was awarded a Purple Heart. After World War II, Roland married Barbara and returned to work at Rogue River Orchards as a shop mechanic. There he earned the nickname "Jeep" due to his mechanical capability and ingenuity. With those same skills he constructed his own home, where he lived with Barbara until 2008. Roland retired in 1987, as the packing house superintendent, after over 40 years with Rogue River Orchards. Roland and Barbara's only child, Deborah, was born in 1954. Roland enjoyed all outdoor activities, swapping stories with family and friends, and creatively crafting useful tools, furniture and equipment in his home shop. He and Barbara were members of Central Point Community Bible Church in Central Point, Ore., for many years. Roland is survived by his wife of 66 years, Barbara Raber; his daughter, Deborah Raber, of Hillsboro, Ore.; and his sister, Joan Stevenson, of Rogue River, Ore. Private interment has already occured at Hillcrest Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 28, 2012, at Evans Valley Bible Church, 7924 East Evans Creek Road, Rogue River, Ore. Roland lived a long and blessed life. His family thanks the staff at Eagle Cove, Avamere at Waterford and Providence Medford Medical Center for their friendship and care. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations could be made to The Nature Conservancy Table Rocks Preserve or the VA Southern Oregon Rehabilitation Center and Clinic. Arrangements by Hillcrest Memorial Park & Mortuary, Medford Oregon. www.hillcrestmortuary.com