Roland L. "Short" Perry Jr. 52, of Gainesville passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday December 23, 2025. Roland leaves his life-long partner Estelle Givins of Gainesville; his children Shakeya Frazier, Alexander Givins-Perry, Roland Perry Jr, Kyle Sawyer, Raishawn Reid, Kathleen Reid and Darian Perry, his mother Emogene Edmondson, and his bonus mom Kathleen Sullivan-Givins. He was predeceased by his fathers, Roland Perry Sr, Rudolph Edmondson and Willie Givins Jr. He leaves behind three sisters Martha Edmondson, Erica Givins-Brown, and Lameka Taylor. His godson Darius Givins, several grandchildren plus one on the way. He leaves his aunts, Mary Lee Parks, Grace Canley and Annie Ruth Bowers, his uncles Benny Rome and Freddie Rome along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and many others that loved him.

Roland was born in Gainesville, Florida, but grew up in Dunnellon where he was the always the tallest. He played football at Dunnellon High School where he was known as the "smallest fastest littlest tank in Marion County". After school Roland relocated his life to Worcester, Massachusetts where he met the love of his life Estelle and their story became! Roland was a jack of many trades, but cooking was his passion. Short loved cooking for his family and everyone he came across. Roland held a lifetime love of fishing that started in Florida with his cousins, who he considered to be his brothers. He brought that love to Massachusetts and shared it with the brothers he made there. Roland contributed his time in the community as "Coach Short" with the Worcester Sting Basketball Program. All who knew Roland expected the random phone calls from him just to check in and say" hey". Recentlty Roland has pursued his dream of owning his food truck as he started up "Sandwich King" here in Gainesville. Roland had an affection smile that will be so deeply missed by so many. Gone from our sight but never from our hearts.