Reverend A. Judson Rotan, 82, of Asheville, NC was welcomed into the arms of his Heavenly Father on Monday, October 8, 2018, following complications from surgery at Mission Hospital. He was born February 2, 1936 in Albemarle, NC, to the late Reverend Zemma William Rotan and Lela Aldridge Rotan. His early childhood and teenage years were spent in locations where his parents were serving in churches: Greensboro, NC; Concord, NC; Gastonia, NC; Enka Village – near Asheville, NC. He graduated from Sand Hill High School (Buncombe Co.); attended Mars Hill College (University); and graduated from Carson-Newman College. After which he received a degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was ordained to the gospel ministry and served eighteen years as a pastor to five churches from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina.
In 1977 he became a Director of Missions for the Randolph Baptist Association, Asheboro, NC, where he served for twenty-four years until his retirement in 2001. Since that time, he had several interim pastorates. In 2005 he and his wife moved to Asheville, NC and came out of retirement to pastor Buckeye Baptist Church, Swannanoa, NC for six years, until he retired a second time in June 2012. He served a total of fifty-four years in Christian Ministry. Even in retirement he continued to serve in the life of his church (First Baptist Church, Asheville), as deacon, on committees, and mission projects.
Rev. Rotan is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Gwendolyn Ezzell (Whiteville, NC); son, Kenneth E. Rotan & Jennifer (wife); daughter, Beverly R. Buffaloe & Daniel (husband); sister, Gloria R. Keown; brother, William E. Rotan; five grandchildren: Kristina, Katherine, Jackson Rotan and Andrew, Justin Buffaloe; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be Saturday, October 13, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Asheville. A reception will follow in the church dining hall. He will be inurned in the Sacred Gardens of First Baptist Church in a private service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, c/o Hurricane Florence Relief, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.