Jerry Roldan – Celebration of Life

Lucas Jerome Roldan, Jr. “Jerry” grew up in Mobile, the only child of Philippine and Irish immigrants, Lucas Jerome Roldan, Sr. and Burnette Godwin Roldan. He attended McGill Institute and then went to the University of Alabama, intending to major in chemistry. He quickly realized the error of his ways and changed his major to his true passion, visual art. He graduated with a BA in art and then immediately began working on his MFA, both from the University of Alabama. He would quickly, at this point, add Roll Tide!

After graduating, Jerry went on to teach art at Faulkner State Community College, the University of South Alabama, Spring Hill College, the City of Mobile’s Community Activities Program, and at the Shelby County Arts Center. An incredibly prolific and talented oil, acrylic, and watercolor painter, Jerry had a natural eye for the canvas and made beautiful art that hangs in public galleries and private collections for generations to enjoy.

Jerry was kind, supportive, imaginative, and caring. He loved his family intensely. He leaves behind, to cherish his memory his daughter Tanya Roldan Huggins (Scott) and son Philip Jackson Roldan. He was known as “Captain” to his grandchildren, Jordan Scott Huggins (Christine) and Riley Ann Roldan, and to his great-grandchildren, Adalyn Brooke Huggins and Connor Scott Huggins. 



Jerry loved teaching art and loved his students. He often said that he grew in his skills because of the creative collaboration with all he taught. He thought of himself as fun-loving hippie who loved life and life’s experiences. He was a champion for the underprivileged and the challenged, and a fighter for civil rights for all those who had a heart of gold. After giving kindness and love to so many for so many years, he passed away at age 83 on November 10, 2023.