“We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”
2 Corinthians 5:8
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our Roland Charles Throneberry, Jr., on August 23, 2025. He was born in Huntsville, AL on July 15, 1957, and currently resided in Suwannee, GA. He is survived and deeply loved by his daughter, Ashley Throneberry Mills, son-in-law, Patrick Mills, and granddaughter, Aurelia Belle Mills, from Niceville, FL, and his son, Tyler Ryan Throneberry, from Tampa, FL, along with his two sisters, Judy Lynn Throneberry and Dianne Lanza, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roland Charles Throneberry, Sr. and Dorcas Cleghorn Throneberry. Roland’s passion for his faith, family, and friends was evident in all he said and did. His heart for his beloved animals knew no end. His love for Auburn University and his “A”-Team buds was cherished for over forty years. He was also an active member of the Auburn Church of Christ throughout his years at Auburn.
Roland graduated from Huntsville High School in 1975 and went on to Auburn University in hopes of playing football. In tandem with being a competitive bodybuilder in college, he played for two years before deciding that football and being an Architect major wasn’t a good match. After the passing of his beloved father, he came home to Huntsville for a year and sold Bibles throughout the Southeastern states, where he also ministered to the people buying them. He then returned to Auburn on a co-op program with NASA/MSFC. Before computers, he demonstrated an incredible talent for illustration and became one of the artists for MSFC, drawing many of their space exploration plans and vehicles. After graduating with a BA in Art Design, he worked for Intergraph for a short period, then worked for Texas Instruments in Plano, TX. He later moved on to work for Eastman Kodak until they went out of business, then Konica Minolta, and the latest, Ricoh USA as a Solutions Engineer training customers on high-end commercial printing machines.
He loved to live life and was very athletic, as shown with his engagement in scuba diving, bowling, golf, and softball. He enjoyed cycling, participating in Bo Bikes Bama, led by Auburn legend, Bo Jackson, and BRAG (Bike Ride Across Georgia) riding and camping for over 500 miles within a week with his son. He was an avid runner, completing the Cotton Row Run in Huntsville, the Peachtree City Triathlon, and several Dopey Challenges, accomplishing 48.6 miles in four days with his daughter, and completing numerous Tough Mudder events with both of his children.
Having been raised by two wonderful Christian parents, Roland had a strong desire and passion for the Lord and discipled everyone he contacted. He never met a stranger and always helped someone he knew was in need. He spent hours on the phone ministering to others about the Lord. With his gift of speaking and charisma, his heart’s desire was to be a minister of God’s word.
A funeral service will be held Friday, August 29, 2025, at Mayfair Church of Christ, 2025 Carl T. Jones Blvd., Huntsville, AL with a visitation from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. and the service to begin at 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 pm. Burial will be at Huntsville Memory Gardens in Huntsville, AL.
In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored for donations made to the Multiple Myeloma Foundation or any animal rescue charity of your choice.
