Rollin Duane DeLong

 Rollin (Rollie) Duane DeLong, beloved husband, father, grandfather, teacher, coach, and friend, passed away peacefully surrounded by family.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Karla (Kahler) DeLong; children Tiffany DeLong, Geoff DeLong, Jennifer (Matthew) Sperry, Matthew (Kristy) DeLong, and Sarah (Johnny) Bills; grandchildren Cayden Kocher; Jack and Ryan Sperry; Max and Samuel DeLong; and Olivia and Brendan Bills; as well as his loving in-laws Daniel and Marjorie Kahler, brother and sister-in-law Carl and Tina DeLong, and nieces.

Rollie was preceded in death by his parents George and Ida Mae (Haynes) DeLong and his brother, Fred DeLong.

A 1967 graduate of West Jefferson High School, Rollie was named All-Ohio Football (1966) and helped lead the Roughriders to a State Championship in 1964, later earning induction into the West Jefferson Athletic Hall of Fame (2009).

After high school, Rollie continued his football career at the University of Toledo before answering the call to serve his country. Drafted during the Vietnam War, Rollie served from August 1970 to May 1972. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Vietnam Service Medal.

Upon returning home, Rollie attended Ashland University, where he was a starting linebacker for the 1972 Undefeated National Championship Team. His passion for sports and mentoring young people naturally led him into education and coaching.

Rollie began his teaching career in 1974 at West Jefferson Middle School, where he also coached football and basketball. In 1980, he and his family moved to Sunbury, Ohio, where he joined Big Walnut Schools—a community that quickly became home. He taught at Big Walnut Intermediate and Big Walnut High School, and in 1982, he accepted the head football coaching position for the Big Walnut Golden Eagles.

Over his many years of coaching football,wrestling and track and field, Rollie built programs rooted in discipline, teamwork, and heart. His teams produced OCC Championships, Regional Finalists, State Playoff contenders, and AP State Champions. But to Rollie, the true victories were the lifelong relationships he built with his players—many of whom remained part of his extended family. Known affectionately as “Coach,” he treated every player as one of his own, hosting countless team dinners with his wife Karla and their young children at his side.

After stepping back from his head coaching role, Rollie continued to share his knowledge and love of the game as an assistant coach at Delaware Hayes High School, and later, once again, with Big Walnut where he finished up his career in 2006. In recognition of his dedication, Rollie was inducted into the Big Walnut Athletic Hall of Fame (2007) and served as Grand Marshal of the Sunbury July 4th Parade, a celebration he shared with his grandchildren this past July.

Rollie’s greatest joy outside sports was his family and staying busy. He cherished time with his grandchildren. Rollie also worked at The Hub Carryout in Sunbury and as an insurance agent for the Craig Miller Agency, which kept him busy, allowing him to connect with old friends and meet new ones in the Sunbury and Galena communities.

And to all of his special football sons—you know who you are—thank you for the years of loyalty, laughter, and love. You will forever be part of his family and legacy.

A celebration of life will be held at Genoa Baptist Church, 7562 Lewis Center Road, on Thursday, October 16th, with visitation from 4:00–6:00 p.m., followed by a memorial celebration at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Wayne Booth.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Big Walnut Education Foundation (Ways to Give, please include “Rollie DeLong Memorial Scholarship” in the memo line) supporting Big Walnut High School football players and the football program, honoring his lifelong dedication to education, athletics, and the next generation of leaders.