Denzil Herman Roland

Denzil Herman Roland, age 84, passed away on June 12, 2016. He was born April 12, 1932 in Enola, Arkansas to John William Roland and Mary Elizabeth Heffington Roland. Denzil was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Oneita Sheridan. For over 65 years, Denzil worked in the foodservice business as a cook and chef preparing meals for his fellow army servicemen, famous actors, three Presidents (Truman, Eisenhower and Clinton), numerous state and local officials and countless patrons of the many establishments he worked. Denzil began his career in the food business at the young age of 15 working with his uncles at the Lido Inn and Marion Hotel. In 1949, he became the assistant shift manager at the Minute Man on Broadway. By the early 1950s, his budding culinary career was put on hold while he enlisted in the Army to serve his country during the Korean War. After a brief stint in battle on the front lines, he was assigned to cook for the troops. After his discharge from the service, he spent several years working at hotels in Shreveport and Lake Charles, Louisiana before moving back to Little Rock in 1969 to marry Patricia. After working at the Embers and Coachman's Inn, Denzil opened his own restaurant, the Market Cafe', in North Little Rock. He then went on to work at the the Olde West Dinner Theatre, Little Rock Club and Flaming Arrow Supper Club before settling down as chef at Murry's Dinner Playhouse, where he worked from 1984 until his retirement in 2012. The 28 years Denzil spent at Murry's were some of the best times of his life, both professionally and personally, as he was able to combine his two greatest loves, food and family. Having his wife and children work alongside him and take lead roles in managing the kitchen and buffet operations created lasting memories as some of the proudest moments of his life. Charming and handsome, Denzil made an impression on all those he met. In his rare free time away from work, he enjoyed being outside working in the yard or garden and spending time with his beloved grandchildren, who were the lights of "Papa's" life. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Frances Patricia Roland of Little Rock, daughter, Cheryl Roland of Hensley, son, Denzil William Roland (Melanie) of Hot Springs, sister, Martha Green of Conway, grandchildren, Elizabeth, Aaron (Sydney), Mary, John, Emma, Matthew and Denie'l May, great-grandchildren, Payton, Dean and Holly, niece, Terri Green as well as former daughter-in-law, Elanna Lee and special friend, Debbie Humphries, whom he knew since his early days at Murry's and thought of as another daughter. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Roller Drummond Funeral Home, 10900 Interstate 30, Little Rock, Arkansas 72209 (501) 455-5800. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at the funeral home. Burial will follow the service at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander, Arkansas. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/drummond.