Roland Keith Sutherby, 86, longtime McCleary resident and logging truck driver, died Wednesday morning, Nov. 2, 2016, at Grays Harbor Health & Rehab Center in Aberdeen.

He was born on Jan. 6, 1930, in Elma, Wash., to Arthur Albert and Nellie (Light) Sutherby. He attended Elma High School and went to work for Shaffer Brothers Logging in Montesano. He joined the Army in 1950 and was a truck driver with the 40th Infantry Division during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952.

He returned home and two weeks later met Tropha Fields at a dance hall at Steamboat Island. They were married on May 16, 1953, at her parents’ home in Liliwaup, Wash. She resides at the family home.

Roland Moved to Missouri where he worked for McDonnell Douglas on the first two-man spacecraft (Gemini) after being cleared by the FBI for this top-secret job in the 1960s. He then returned to the harbor and worked as a truck driver for various logging and timber companies through the years and dump truck for Quigg Brothers on the Satsop Plant.

Roland was a loving person that enjoyed harassing people and waitresses…all in jest. He enjoyed getting together with his family and friends and spending time at the Senior Center. Liked watching football, playing pinochle and cribbage.

Roland is survived by four daughters: Carolyn (Sam) Eshom of Elma, LaVeta (Dave) Sherman of Vancouver, Wash., Twilah Strozyk of Bellevue, Wash. and Tammy Moyers of Aberdeen; a brother, James (Pat) Sutherby of McCleary, Wash.; 16 grandchildren, numerous great- grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Roland was preceded in death by a son, Steven Keith Sutherby.

There will be a celebration of Roland’s life Saturday, Nov 12, at 2 p.m. at the Montesano Church of God. A potluck reception will follow at the church.

A message of condolence or of a memory can be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen, Wash.