Funeral service for Retired SFC Roderick William Pollard, 41 of Killeen, TX will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 12:00 p.m. at Greater Vision Community Church in Killeen, TX. Burial will be held at a later date in Maryland.

Viewing will be held two hours prior to the service (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.) at the church.

Mr. Pollard passed away January 6, 2022, in Fort Hood, TX.

Roderick "Slim" Pollard was the most laid back, smoothest person you'd ever meet. Slim lived life to the fullest and enjoyed having a good time. He had a smile that could light up a room. He loved his family, close friends, and his country.

Roderick William Pollard was born on October 3, 1980, in Washington, DC. He was born to Stephanie Moton and Kenneth Pollard (deceased). In the summer of 1981, Roderick's mother met Russell M. Jolley, known to his family and friends as Bigshot. Roderick and Bigshot (Pop's as Roderick called him) developed an unbreakable bond. Roderick loved hanging out with Bigshot and Bigshot treated him as if he was his biological son. In October 1982, Stephanie and Russell married and they raised Roderick together. Shortly thereafter, they expanded their family making Roderick the oldest of three children. As a child Roderick was a "Mama's boy". He loved cuddling with his mother and watching TV. He was very curious, playful, energetic, and athletic.

Roderick attended C.W. Harris Elementary School, Fletcher Johnson Middle School and a year at H.D. Woodson High School all located in the District of Columbia. The family later moved to Prince George's County Maryland where Roderick was enrolled and graduated from Forestville High School.

Immediately after graduating high school in 1998, Roderick enlisted in the United States Army. During his time in the military, he served a number of years and was deployed to Iraq twice, Afghanistan, and a short tour in Germany. Stateside he was stationed at Schofield Barracks Army Hawaii, Fort Leonard Wood Missouri, and Fort Hood Texas. In the Army Roderick served as a Combat Engineer 12B, Air Assault.

In 2003, while stationed in Hawaii, he met and married Valrica Smith and of that union they had one child Roderick "Deuce" Pollard, II. In 2004 they moved to Killeen Texas and were divorced shortly thereafter.

In 2005, Roderick met the love of his life Tracy Norris, and they soon became a couple and blended family together raising his son Deuce and her three children, Teyrra, Malik, and Javonni. Roderick was an amazing father and provider, teaching the children the importance of family, respect, responsibility, and integrity. He was always involved in the boys' sporting activities, basketball, football, and soccer. He coached middle school football, but his love came from coaching the Drive Nation 16–17-year-old basketball team. He became a mentor to the young men both on and off the court. Mr. Slim, as the kids called him, became famous for his outspoken, boisterous, and passionate expressions during games. The Killeen community had grown to look forward to hearing and seeing Slim in action at all the games.

Roderick loved the military, so much so that he made a career of serving his country. As the years went on, he continued to move up the ranks retiring in 2017 as Sergeant First Class.

Roderick leaves to forever love and cherish his memories, his son Roderick"Deuce" Pollard, II, his mother Stephanie R. Jolley, his father, Russell M. Jolley I; sister, Kolesia "KoKo" Jolley, brother Russell M. Jolley II; three step children, Teyrra Goodrich, Malik Goodrich, and Javonni Goodrich, a special friend and companion Tracy Norris, one grandmother Lenora Moton, a play mother, Valda Allen; eight aunts, Francina Parrish (Rodney), Veronica Jolley McKissic, Stephanie Gallman (Jeff), Janet "Sweetie" Brangman, Mary "Doll" Pollard, Nadine Wilson (Delenor), Raenita Hector (Leonard), and Rufaro Pollard-Moten (Charles); two uncles, James "Chris" Lewis, and Deon Jolley; one great aunt Margo Kelly (Willie); three special cousins, Kevin Jolley (Amanda), Ayanna Roberts (Damon), and Timara Moton, five play brothers, Darrly Smoot, Deonte Bell, Michael Caldwell, Harlan Bell, and Roderick Woullard; two half-brothers, Kenneth Pollard III, and Devon Pollard; one half-sister, Tiesha Porter (Brandon), and a host of other family relatives, and friends.