It is with great sadness that the family of William Jason Rolman, 59, announce his peaceful passing on Nov. 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Born Feb. 28, 1965 in Manchester, Jay was the middle child born to Howard and Izzie Mae Rolman. He was a lifelong resident of Tullahoma, and was a 1983 graduate of Tullahoma High School. Jay made his living working for Stanley Tool and then as a Ford technician for 25 years. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by daughter Tess (Kevin) Godwin of Austin, TX, son Tollie Rolman of Tullahoma, grandson Finn Godwin of Austin, TX, sister Joy Cunningham of Tullahoma, and brother Devon (Marsha) Rolman of Tullahoma. And let’s not forget his beloved pups Abby and Isabella.

Family and friends mourn Jay’s loss not only due his untimely passing but in reflection of great memories created alongside Jay and the hope to have had the time to create more.

Everyone dies but not everyone lives- Jay lived! “Jay-Ro from Aero”, as he cleverly nicknamed himself, enjoyed riding his Yamaha dirt bike alongside his cousin Terry and brother Devon. The two brothers also spent endless hours listening to 105.9 “The Rock” while doing mechanic work on their bikes and restoring old cars alongside their master mechanic mentor, their father Howard–sister Joy was very upset when Jay rode his dirt bike into the side of her pinto! The Rolman crew often piled into their Ford pickup truck with camper atop to enjoy vacations to Daytona Beach Florida.

 Jay loved a good laugh. Many of these gained from years of “Andy Griffith Show” and “The Three Stooges” reruns…after rerun, after rerun. There was no lack of lake time in Jay’s life. At the age of 5, Jay began embarking on fishing adventures with his father Howard. Just like a fishing license, this tradition was renewed as Jay insisted he and his son Tollie often hit the lake at daylight during the last year of his life. Surely this time reminded Jay of time with his own father as he and Tollie bonded, and Jay felt truly at peace. Thousands of fish were fried over the years as the family gathered on the carport for frequent cook outs. It was recently discovered that Jay continued cooking out, but now he was grilling mini hamburgers for his fur babies Abby and Isabella. Jay loved the ladies. His niece Callie caught Jay raising his brows at his favorite nurse, Brittany, even on his last day.

He was an avid baseball card and coin collector. Jay enjoyed paroosing antique shops and flea markets with his son Tollie and his sister Joy. He adored his first born, Tess, who he taught how to ride a bike and how to beat up boys! Tess later blessed him with his one and only grandson, Finn, who always anticipated trips to Tennessee to spend time with “Papa Jay” and Uncle Tollie. If you google Wal-Mart shoppers, it is highly likely you will see Jay’s picture pop up wearing his favorite plaid shorts and white crew socks with a box of Little Debbie’s secured in his buggy. He was a daily supporter of the store and made friends with many associates.

Jay will be missed dearly. No amount of preparation could have lessened the heart ache we all feel from his absence. Life is short. Hold your loved ones near and cherish precious time.

Funeral services were held at noon on Nov. 16 at Tullahoma Funeral Home and burial was in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

Tullahoma Funeral Home were in charge of arrangements.

Tullahoma News – Nov. 24, 2024