Jerry Roller

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Jim McGinnis
Posts: 223
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Owasso, OK USA

Post by Jim McGinnis »

I'm just reading this sad post. Jerry was not only a gifted steel player but a gentlemen's gentleman. Prayers for his family.
Jim McGinnis
Steve Spitz
Posts: 2136
Joined: 11 Jul 2001 12:01 am
Location: New Orleans, LA, USA

Post by Steve Spitz »

R.I.P. Jerry. Condolences to your family.
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Lynn Stafford
Posts: 2233
Joined: 17 Sep 2002 12:01 am
Location: Ridgefield, WA USA
Contact:

Jerry Roller

Post by Lynn Stafford »

I'm so sad to learn of Jerry's passing. We're traveling in our motorhome and have limited internet access, so I didn't learn of this until now.

I never had the opportunity to meet Jerry in person but we had many chats on the phone along with emails through the years. I'm very proud to have known such a wonderful person!

I offer my deepest condolences to his close friends and family.
Best regards,
Lynn Stafford

STEEL GUITAR WEST
http://www.steelguitarwest.com
Steel Guitar Technician (Restoration, Set-up, Service and Repair work)

Previous Emmons Authorized Dealer & Service Technician (original factory is now closed)

ZumSteel Authorized Service Technician
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Robert Rogers
Posts: 824
Joined: 10 Jan 2002 1:01 am
Location: Manchester,TN

Post by Robert Rogers »

This is really sad news.
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Bob Watson
Posts: 1533
Joined: 30 Aug 2000 12:01 am
Location: Champaign, Illinois, U.S.

Post by Bob Watson »

I'm sorry to hear this sad news. I always enjoyed seeing Jerry's posts. My condolences go out to all of his family and friends.
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Ron Frederiksen
Posts: 2029
Joined: 15 Nov 2004 1:01 am
Location: Van Buren, Arkansas, USA

Post by Ron Frederiksen »

Lost a great friend after nearly 40 years, sure going to miss him being around and calling him any time I needed help for anything. RIP my friend !! Prayers for Carlene, Jerry Jr, Terry, and grandson Braden.. 🙏🙏🙏
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Larry Welter
Posts: 155
Joined: 3 Jul 2014 9:44 pm
Location: Wisconsin, USA

great player

Post by Larry Welter »

one week ago i sent jerry a pm asking him about a guitar,,,i was wondering why he didn.t respond,,then i see this,,,,really a nice guy,,bought a few items from him over the years,,,yes he will be missed,,,
a few guitars,(Rickenbacker /610/ 40,s lap steel, 2007 emmons legrande,student Gs emmons,,,nashville 112
....,peavey classic 30 ,Nashville 400,,a few effect pedals,,everything except talent,(everyone wants to go to heaven,but no one wants to die to get there,) "steven jobs"?
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G Strout
Posts: 776
Joined: 3 Dec 1999 1:01 am
Location: Carabelle, Florida

Post by G Strout »

I rarely, and even often avoid coming over to the "Gone Home" section. Very, very sad to hear this.
Jerry gave me so much help and info over the years. He sent.... Hmmmm must have been 30 emails trying to help me straighten out an old Marlen (that I still have and play) until we got her right! A saint of man, friend to steel players, and just a genuine all around great guy!
God speed Jerry condolences to his family and friends.
Gary
Melbert 8, Remington S8,Remington D8, Rick B6, Tremblay 6 lap steel, Marlen S-10 4&4, Old Guild M75 and Artist Award, Benedetto Bravo, Epiphone Century Electar (the real one) and a bunch of old lap steels.... mostly Ricks and Magnatones'
Michael Breid
Posts: 906
Joined: 3 Feb 2005 1:01 am
Location: Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA

Post by Michael Breid »

I remember working a steel show with him here in Arkansas, and I was playing backup guitar. He motioned for me to take a ride, (which was no biggie), and after I did the audience applauded (probably out of sympathy). He turned to me laughing and said, "You're stealing my thunder". I guess he was kidding. I hope so. Liven up that Heavenly band Jerry.
John Brabant
Posts: 774
Joined: 28 Jun 1999 12:01 am
Location: Calais, VT, USA

Post by John Brabant »

As with everyone else it seems, Jerry helped me out with my PP on parts. Sweet guy. RIP Jerry.
John Brabant
1978 Emmons D-10 P-P
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Jim Saunders
Posts: 2836
Joined: 7 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Sad news

Post by Jim Saunders »

When I first re-started playing steel 20 years ago, I met Jerry at the Texas steel show. We were both insurance agents, so we talked steel and shop. And, through the years we have had a good relationship and have made buy/sell deals many times. So sad to hear of his passing and my condolences to his wife and family.
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Dirk Edwards
Posts: 170
Joined: 25 Sep 2019 7:53 am
Location: Homedale ,Idaho USA

Post by Dirk Edwards »

Great to jump in and answer questions for me.
A true crafts man!
Larry Mingua
Posts: 12
Joined: 23 Aug 2013 7:31 pm
Location: Indiana, USA

Post by Larry Mingua »

I met Jerry years ago at one of Doug Rolfe's gospel steel shows in Indianapolis, he was one of those people you felt like you had known for years, even though you just met. A Christian man, an excellent player and steel repairman. He played with much taste and tone, I will miss his posts here, prayers to his family.
Terry Sneed
Posts: 4643
Joined: 17 Feb 2004 1:01 am
Location: Arkansas,

Jerry Roller

Post by Terry Sneed »

Just saw this, Jerry was a friend, very good steel player, and very nice guy. RIP Jerry
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Rick Campbell
Posts: 4283
Joined: 8 May 2006 12:01 am
Location: Sneedville, TN, USA

Post by Rick Campbell »

Just saw this. So sad. I purchased my 1974 push pull from Jerry last summer. Great guy.

RC
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Paddy Long
Posts: 5462
Joined: 19 Aug 2003 12:01 am
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand

Post by Paddy Long »

Very sad to hear of Jerry's passing, he helped me out a lot on my refurbishing projects by machining me a couple of vertical knee levers for my MCI, and some bellcranks for my Franklin ... did a wonderful job on them, so everytime I play those guitars I will think of him. RIP Jerry!
14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.
Keith Hilton
Posts: 3730
Joined: 1 May 1999 12:01 am
Location: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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Post by Keith Hilton »

Jerry was my first Hilton pedal dealer. Herby Wallace was my second Hilton pedal dealer. Both of these men were dear friends, and now they both are dead. Hilton pedals would not be where it is today, without the support of these two friends. Jerry and Herby---Two of the greatest players to ever sit behind a steel guitar. Jerry and Herby would do anything they could possibly do to help people. They were true lovers of the steel guitar. I get real sad thinking about the many wonderful people that are no longer with us.
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Jeremy Threlfall
Posts: 1380
Joined: 3 Aug 2006 12:01 am
Location: now in Western Australia

Post by Jeremy Threlfall »

Jerry was very helpful to me, in Australia. I bought my Hilton Digital Sustain from him. Peace to his family and close friends
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Nick Reed
Posts: 4746
Joined: 4 Aug 1998 11:00 pm
Location: Russellville, KY USA

Post by Nick Reed »

I was fortunate enough to have gotten to meet Jerry back in 2008

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