November 8, 1929 - May 8, 2024

Hutchinson, Kansas - Roland Dirks, 94, a man of God, faithful husband, and exemplary father and grandfather passed away on May 8, 2024. Roland was a respected local businessman, a member of the Gideons organization, and long-time member of First Church of the Nazarene (currently Inspire Church) in Hutchinson.

Roland married Ora Lee Howerton on October 22, 1950 in Wichita, Kansas, after a brief friendship and even shorter engagement. They had their three children, Wayne, Clay, and Cindy, while living in Wichita before moving to Hutchinson in 1963, where Ora Lee continues to live.

Roland spent most of life as an auto mechanic. He began his career working for his Uncle, Bill Unruh, at Unruh Alignment in Wichita. He bought Bill's Hutchinson shop in 1963 and operated the business as Unruh Alignment until he sold it in 1985. He then worked for Air Midwest as Director of Ground Services, ensuring all ground services related to the airplanes was working. He retired from Air Midwest in 1998.

Roland was born in McPherson County, Kansas, and raised in Wichita where he graduated from Wichita North High School in 1948. He was raised in the Asbury Methodist church. After marrying Ora Lee, the newlyweds began attending Wichita First Church of the Nazarene. After moving to Hutchinson, the Dirks family attended Bethany Church of the Nazarene. In 1972 they began attending First Church of the Nazarene (now Inspire Church).  Roland was very involved in these churches in many ways. He loved to sing and was in a men's quartet as a young man.

In retirement, Roland and Ora Lee enjoyed exploring the southwest in their travel trailer. They also took their grandchildren on some adventures in the trailer, vacations cherished by all of them.

Roland was preceded in death by his parents Jake and Carrie (Unruh) Dirks, sister Phyllis Bowman, and brother Everett Dirks. His memory lives on through his wife Ora Lee, sons Wayne (Becky) Dirks, Clay (Debbie) Dirks, daughter Cindy (Brian) Fry, and grandchildren Molly (Justin) Vess, A.J. (Chelsea) Fry, and Janelle (Josh) Williford.

To honor Roland's memory and celebrate his life, a service will be held on Monday, May 20th, at 1:00 p.m., at Old Mission-Heritage Funeral Home in Hutchinson, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Gideons would be appreciated by making your donation in care of the funeral home.