Roland Walter Cousins

He was born on May 26, 1936, in the Village of Dexter, New York, the son of Aaron Charles Cousins and Bernice Abbie (Gould) Cousins. He attended school and worked in Jefferson County, NY before joining the U.S. Air Force at the age of 17. He served in the Air Force for over 21 years, reaching the rank of Master Sergeant. He met his beloved wife, Thelma, in 1960 while stationed at Bushy Park – Camp Griffiss outside of London.

Roland was one of the “atomic veterans,” helping the U.S. military develop nuclear weapon technology in the early 1960s while stationed on Johnston Island in the South Pacific. He also served the North American Air Defense Command inside Cheyenne Mountain at Colorado Springs, Colorado. His military career took him and his family to numerous states, territories and countries. Travel was something that he enjoyed throughout his life.

After retiring from the Air Force he spent the rest of his career working for LabCorp in Burlington, North Carolina, where he lived and raised his family before retiring to Asheville in 1998.

Remaining to cherish Roland’s memory are his wife Thelma Pamela (Chandler) Cousins of the home; children Laura Michelle (Cousins) Meshwork of Apex, NC, Alex Charles Cousins of Cary, NC and Nicole Denise Cousins of Plain City, OH; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; his brother David Herbert Conklin and wife Kari of Watertown, NY; and extended family.

A memorial service and interment at Dexter Cemetery will be held in summer 2025.

Memorial donations in Roland’s name may be sent to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.