Conclusion
Jennifer Carter: I remember when I was little that I would go to Roland’s with my Grandmother to “get her hair done” like “everyone else” in town did! One day in particular, Roland had a free slot inbetween clients, and we left “all the ladies” there and went to Dairy Queen to get ice cream. I really looked forward to going to Roland’s with her to listen to the “town news” weekly!
Jeff Cannon: I first met Roland shortly after I began working for The Forney Messenger. Every Thursday morning I drop off ten papers at the salon. I always look forward to these times, because when I see Roland, it is usually early enough that there aren’t any customers there, and we discuss a number of topics, current events, historic memories, and mostly just humorous things we notice. I am always astounded at Roland’s knowledge on just about any subject. He is a voracious reader and seems to be able to recall just about everything he reads. I have often told others that when I leave Roland’s, I feel that I have learned something…..it may not be something of value to anybody other than myself, but it’s valuable to me. I will miss our Thursday morning visits, and while I know I probably didn’t impart anything of note for Roland to ponder, I hope I have made him laugh!
Marian Themer: Roland took care of me and my hair and adjusted to my aging through the years. He helped me into and out of the “wash” chair, “drying” chair, and “styling” chair and visited with me and others. I remember the day that my Great-Grandson LUKE surprised all of us as he opened the door, walked in grinning, and answered, “My Grandma,” when asked if he knew who was in the barber chair, and he was only two years old! “Thank you, Roland!” (related to Don Themer at Three Forks recently) Mike Medlin: Roland Tyler was my next-door neighbor when I grew up in Forney. He served as “our” Cub Scout Leader for a time and always supported us in school and sports, and one of my first jobs as a teenager was mowing his lawn. Roland always has a smile and a funny story, and I always knew he was around to help if I/we ever needed it. In the late 80s/early 90s, my friends and I used his yard as a hiding place for our “treasures.”
Don Themer: I stopped in at the “Rabbit Hut/High Stylers” for my final visit on May 23 at about 9:00 a. m. when I saw the white pickup in the drive and the door to the building ajar—to visit for about 10 minutes and say my final farewell to that iconic old building and that iconic “sort of old” Roland Tyler. At about 11:15 a. m. Roland and I strode out the door together as he set off on foot to the Post Office, and I continued on my “Forney Routine.” I later found out that he did not make it out of the Post Office without being “waylayed” by two of his good friends who just wanted to talk “a minute or so!” Roland gave me a “bottle” from Mick Spellman to put into the Museum. As I was heading out the door, I heard the voices of Bob Haynes, Jim Pinson, Richard DeLong, Betty English, Helen Stark, Barry Jones, Judy Griffin, Jim Schmidt, M. O. Penny, Brother Jerry, Sam Criswell, Mike Adams, a man carrying a Gideon Bible, and a “choir” of other familiar names and faces. I think they were still in the back room for one last visit!
Ivy Neal Weaver: Roland Tyler knows “stuff”— institutional knowledge: expertise, policies, histories, skill sets, techniques, know-how, processes, values, and experiences. This has a high value, and he is a fount: Texas, Kaufman County, Forney, area sports history, how to “run” things, why we do what we do, who buttered the bread! I never leave the timer’s booth at City Bank Stadium (where Roland, Tommie Mankins, Barry Jones are percolating) without getting smarter.
Duane and Bettye Penny: The “Forney Good Guy” award should go to Roland. As a Forney transplant, he quickly assimilated into the town as a true servant to his Church, the Community, and each individual he meets. I have no idea to how many “shutins” (including my parents) he has given his time to cut their hair when they could not come to the shop. Of course, he has a wealth of knowledge about “goings on” in Forney, and he is/ will be glad to discuss local and Texas sports history at length. And, in days past, he could always be found on the “chain gang” at Forney High football games. Roland Tyler is a “humble local legend.”
Vivian Themer: When I was a student in Forney schools, we would go to Highstylers to “get our hair done,” and we would visit with everyone there—it was a fun outing for me! My favorite memories of Roland, though, involve him cutting our sons’ hair. He always was available to “take care” of them no matter what— we could drop them off and pick them up, and they knew they would get the FORNEY SPECIAL. Most of all, though, I admired Roland as I saw him “give back” to the Community, as he served many hours with the Lion’s Club.
Alan McCuistion: A few years ago, on several occasions, Roland Tyler drove to Three Forks Senior Living of Forney and picked up my Mom to take her to his shop in downtown Forney to style her hair. Then, each time, he drove her back to the assisted living facility. Of course, true to his character, he did not want any extra fee for the special service! One year, I helped Roland with the “play clock” during Forney football games. He always had some humorous stories to tell, which would leave me with a smile upon my face.
Weston Themer: I can still smell the powder with which Roland hit the back of your neck after the haircut was finished! Pictures, papers, varsity football schedules tacked onto the wall— as a boy, it made you and me dream of what it would be like to finally play under the bright lights on Friday nights. ROLAND was THE BARBER in our quiet little town of Forney, and not a day goes by that I don’t wish Forney could have held onto that small-town style to this day! Mr. Tyler was the man who seemed to have all the answers—he could counsel you on just about anything, and he was always there to shake your hand and “get you” with a heartfelt greeting. Many “Forney Boys” grew up in that barber shop, including me, and the memories that I have of there will ride with me forever. Not much has changed in 29 years—Roland still “gets you” today with that greeting….. and I just want to say, “Thank You, not just for the CUTS but for everything!” Forney is lucky to have had you and that little shop, and it won’t be the same without the two of you downtown. I CAN STILL SMELL THAT POWDER!
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