Charles Dana Rollings, III - "Cholly"

Among the many gifts in this great mystery that is Life, few blessings compel our gratitude more than gift of loving someone so special that they imprint upon your heart; that they are unforgettable. Such was the friend, brother, father we love in Cholly Rollings. Charles Dana Rollings III was born in Louisville, Kentucky on May 15, 1961. He was a big, happy child and lived his whole life with elements of that same big kid, his playful good nature being an undeniable part of his personality. He moved with his family to Sarasota, Florida in the Summer of 1968 and from then on, would always call Florida home. He was a gifted athlete, excelling at every sport he endeavored, from being the County Champion in 25 yard Freestyle as an eight year old, to the Johnny Bench of Little League and Babe Ruth as a catcher, and eventually to his forever sport, football as #74 on the offensive line as a Riverview Ram, joined by some of the boys who would remain his lifelong band of brothers, The Beego's. He loved to boat, ski and fly and logged hours in the skies earning his pilot license. Through everything, he never lost the place where the childlike magic lived inside of him. As a man, he graduated with a BA from UF and earned his MBA at USF. Cholly worked in the banking, pharmaceutical sales, and land management industries where his quiet but natural leadership skills secured him the trust of his colleagues. He earned a reputation for his strong intellect which was tempered by a humility and sentimentality that endeared him as a compassionate friend, a sound and strong confidant, and someone who would drop whatever he was doing if you were in need. He was a man's man whose reserve would give way to his fierce protection should anyone he loved need him. His dry wit and amiable personality could lighten any situation and yet his dependable good humor belied a seriousness which gave him depth and credibility. Cholly loved his family and his friends, but there was no greater joy for him than his children. His son, Dana's conception was announced in typical Cholly fashion, as part of the prayer said at the family Thanksgiving table, which caused our Mom to almost overturn her chair with excitement. He gave Dana his, his father's and his grandfather's name, and both children his monogram. The greater gifts were the endless hours of playtime, his devotion, selflessness, hard work, and boundless stores of love. He wanted to give his children everything he had and he did. Cholly cherished his time watching Dana playing sports and sharing their love of the Bucs and Gators, but witnessing his son develop as a young man, a student, and an athlete and learn what it meant to be ‘good sport' was a source of tremendous pride to him. It seemed that every conversation about Dana included the words, "I have been so blessed by this great kid." His daughter, Catherine, extended his joy and was his partner in fun. Together they loved to pull pranks, dress in disguise, cook, play games, order take out and watch movies. Being a father to Catherine was an extension of Cholly's delight. He was always on the lookout for little gifts for her amusement, saved every piece of her art, and shared their escapades in stories to us all. His protective & caring nature as her daddy was formidable. Everything he did as a father was with the wellbeing and future of his children foremost in his mind. He said to us many times as Catherine & Dana grew that they were the wellspring of his happiness, and that he wished he could ‘go back and do it all over again.' His fidelity to his family was absolute. Everyone loved Cholly, and why not? His was the sweetest of souls; empathetic, kind and always up for a good time. All his life, Cholly shared with us his boundless capacity to love, and in doing so endeared himself to our world, which is why we are completely heartbroken. Our family is full of gratitude for the outpouring of love and support. Cholly's wishes were specific; he did not want formal services. His ashes will join his parents' in the Incarnation Memorial Garden and a celebration of friends & family will be planned by The Beego's at a later date. Cholly has been taken from us too soon, but has been freed from earthly burdens. We know he is with his beloved parents, Mary June Kirn Rollings and C. Dana Rollings, Jr. and together they are enjoying the proverbial Cheeseburger in Paradise. He is survived by his son, Charles Dana Rollings IV, his daughter, Catherine Diane Rollings, brother, Steven Powers Rollings, sister, Anne Kirn Rollings, his nephew & niece, Jack & Emma Rollings, beloved aunts, uncles, cousins and The Beego's. Perhaps Cholly's heart could not keep up with his huge capacity for love, but those of us who knew him and love him know that his heart was strong, steadfast and perfect. Nothing can ever change what he always has been and always will be to us, our beloved Cholly.

Tributes

Charles Dana Rollings, III - "Cholly"

May 15, 1961 - August 10, 2017