Columbus
Rolland E. “Ron” Isom, 83, passed from this life at 2:03 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at Silver Oaks Health Campus in Columbus, Indiana.
He was a devoted husband and father and friend to many.
Rolland was born on July 19, 1932, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Earl and Agnes Robinson Isom. He graduated from Washington High School in Indianapolis and married Lala Jean Byrd in Greenwood, Indiana on April 21, 1976.
Rolland served in the United States Marines Corps during the Korean War and received the rank of Sergeant.
He was a master electrician for many years and employed by ERMCO, Inc. He worked on large projects including Market Square Arena and the Commons Mall. Later, he and his wife, Lala, owned and operated Isom Enterprises, which had Kentucky Fried Chicken Stores in Brownsburg and Danville, Indiana.
Rolland was a talented golfer. He spent countless hours on the golf course and he played in semi-professionals tournaments including the Senior PGA Comfort Classic at the Brickyard Crossing Golf Course. He was a talented marksman and a rarely challenged skeet shooter. Rolland was an avid western fan and had seen every John Wayne movie multiple times. He was a talented craftsman and woodworker and built wonderful gifts for his family including pool tables, toy chests and desks.
Rolland was a member of the American Legion, the VFW and the Elks Club. He attended First Presbyterian Church.
Ron is survived by his daughter, Rena Pierson (husband, Danny) of Indianapolis; his son Michael (wife, Denice) of Monrovia; and his step-daughter Janeen M. Sprague (husband, Richard) of Columbus; and step-daughter-in-law Ginny Byrd. He is also survived by grandchildren, Joshua Pierson of Indianapolis, Annie Holt (husband, David) of Indianapolis, Christina Isom of Indianapolis, Nicholas Sprague of Columbus, Jonathan E. Byrd II (wife, Abigail) of Greenwood, David Byrd (wife, Jewel) of Litchfield Park; and twelve great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two sisters; his granddaughter Annalisha Keller; and a step-son, Jonathan E. Byrd.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home on Jonathan Moore Pike in Columbus, Indiana with the Reverend Dennis Aud officiating. Family and friends may call from 9:30 a.m. to time of service. A graveside service will follow at 1 p.m. Friday at Forest Lawn Memory Garden in Greenwood, Indiana with military honors presented by the Greenwood-Whiteland Honor Guard.
Following the graveside service, family and friends are invited for a gathering at the Hilton Garden Inn at I-65 and U.S. 31 in Edinburgh, Indiana.
Online condolences and special memories may be sent to the Isom family at www.barkesweaverglick.com.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Wounded Warriors Project.
