Obituary of James Robert Rolston

James Robert Rolston, beloved son, brother, and friend, passed away October 14, 2021, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 38.

James was born to his loving family in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he grew up playing baseball, participating in Boy Scouts, and running around with his brothers outside the family’s lakeside home. As he advanced in Scouts throughout high school, he loved backpacking and performing community service projects, especially for Trinity Episcopal Church, where he also served as an acolyte. James achieved his Eagle Scout rank with Troop 19 in 2000.

James attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a Film Studies degree, and continued living in Austin afterward. He enjoyed his years as a line cook at the Fox and Hound in Austin, where he forged lasting friendships. He  worked as an independent petroleum landman, serving many years for producers including H.H. Howell, Terra Source, Texas Oil Leasing, and Itexco, his father’s company. He took his landman work to Colorado for a time, living in Breckenridge, where he also worked demoing snowboard equipment for major manufacturers.

James loved snowboarding, skiing, hiking, floating, mountain biking, amusement parks, and disc golf. He loved his friends, and was loved by them in return. He was at his happiest in collective moments, like playing kickball in the park on Sundays, and often arranging tickets to special events to share with the people he cared about. He was an avid film buff, at one time writing a horror film blog, and sampling a wide range of genres from sci-fi and fantasy to goofy comedy. He was passionate about concerts, traveling around the country to see all kinds of shows. He was equally passionate about sports, following his favorite teams, like the Spurs and the Mavs, along with family and friends. He loved to cook and share great meals with family and friends too, and treasured the long hours that he and his friends spent together smoking brisket.

James is remembered as a man who worked to treat everyone equally and fairly, one of the many lessons he leaves to those of us who loved him dearly. We are heartbroken that our beloved son, brother, and friend is gone, but he is not forgotten.

James is survived by his mother, Kathleen Hamilton, his father, Rodney Rolston, his brothers, Mark, Eric, and Ryan Rolston, and his stepsisters, Kalyx Rolston Schroeder and Jessica Hamilton Hammons. His cherished dog Zilla is settling into her new home with family in Tulsa.

Please join us in memorial services at Christ Church Episcopal,10901 South Yale Avenue, Tulsa on November 12, at 2:00, followed by a picnic at the family lake cabin at Keystone. (Maps provided at service.)