ROANOKE, Va. - Mr. J. Ronald Nowland, 82, of Roanoke, Va. died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013. Ronald was born May 28, 1931 in Smyrna, Del., son of the late Helen & William T. Nowland. He graduated from Smyrna High School in 1949. Ronald received his degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware following his service with the Army Intelligence Corp. during the Korean Conflict. After working for the Farm Bureau in Delaware and Virginia, he left his position to join the Automotive Trade Assoc. of Virginia as chief lobbyist. In 1970 he became President of the Board of VADA, retiring in 1996 to Roanoke. In addition to his parents, Mr. Nowland was preceded in death by his wife, Marybeth Carney; his brother, W. Howard "Buckeye" Nowland; his sister, Ruth E. Downes and Eleanor N. Davis. Ronald is survived by his four children, J. Ronald (Kathy) Nowland II of Midlothian, Va.; Jeffrey R. (Susan) Nowland of Chattanooga, Tenn.; John R. Nowland and life partner Peter Fowler of Fort Worth, Texas; Kathleen (Mike) Hollan of Aberdeen, S.D.; his ten grandchildren; his four great-grandchildren; his beloved and devoted friend, Martha Meredith Coleman and her two children Meredith Coleman and Ashby (Kim) Coleman; his two sisters, Doris (Allen) Everett and Allene Poore of Smyrna, Del.; his best friend, golden retriever Winston; and several nieces & nephews. A memorial service was held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Clover Hill Ward on Friday, November 8, 2013. Interment was in Westhampton Memorial Gardens in Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Automobile Dealers Assoc. Charitable Foundation Memorial Fund at www.nada.org/cf, or Oakey's Funeral Home, 1-800-638-0718. Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel. Online condolences can be made at www.oakeys.com