James Richard Roach
James Richard Roach
James Richard Roach
February 25, 1938 – November 10, 2023
New Sharon, Iowa | Age 85
James Richard Roach, 85, of New Sharon, died Friday, November 10, 2023, at the MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born on February 25, 1938, at home in the apartment of his parents above the meat market where his father worked in Ottumwa, Iowa.
In 1941 the family moved to Oskaloosa when his father entered the United States Army.
Jim attended Jefferson Elementary School through 8th grade, he continued his education at Oskaloosa High School and was the first in his family to graduate from High School.
He worked Saturday’s cleaning at Reilly Jewelry Store and evenings as a Bell Hop at the old Downing Hotel in Oskaloosa. While working in these places he met Marjorie McDonough.
Just 15 days after graduating Jim went into the United States Navy and his training was at Great Lakes, Illinois. He was then assigned to the U.S.S. Pandemus, ARL 18 in Charleston, South Carolina. His next duty station was Port Lyautey, Morocco for two years. He attended Personnelmans School at Patuxent River, Maryland and was assigned as a Dockman at the U.S. Navy Deep Sea Diving School in Washington D.C. where he attained the rank of Personnelman Third Class.
He and Marge maintained their relationship throughout all of Jim’s traveling and training. In 1959, she visited Jim in Washington D.C., and it was on that very trip Jim asked Marge to marry him, she accepted. Jim was discharged from the Navy on June 16, 1960.
On July 2, 1960, just two weeks after his discharge from the Navy, he was ordered by Marge and her mother to once again march, this time it was down the aisle of the Eddyville Christian Church for he and Marge’s wedding.
Following their marriage Jim took a civilian job with the Naval Department in Arlington, Virginia. A month later Marge took a job with the Federal Communications Commission in Washington D.C., Jim eventually transferred to the F.C.C.
While working in Washington D.C. he was a member of Toastmasters International, taught archery for Washington D.C. Rec. Department, and joined the Masonic Lodge. He also attended George Washington University in Washington D.C. for a time.
In 1964, the family moved back to Oskaloosa, and Jim enrolled at William Penn College. He completed his degree in Elementary Education in 1967. He started his teaching career in Newton, Iowa, and then Rose Hill, Iowa. While teaching full-time, he took classes at Northeast Missouri State University and earned his Masters in Elementary School Administration. He was a member of the educational fraternity of Phi Delta Kappa and was a member of that fraternity until his retirement.
Jim enjoyed a long career in education as a teacher and administrator and many school districts including, Benton Community School District, Woodland Park, Colorado, William Penn College, Grand Junction, Colorado, Kersey, Colorado, Rock Springs, Wyoming, Farson, Wyoming, and last at Douglas, Wyoming. In 1999, he retired from education after 32 years of service. Throughout his career in education, he served on several boards and committees, always looking for ways to improve education for children.
In retirement he decided that a perfect way to see the country was through the windshield of a semi-truck. He drove for several companies and made deliveries in all of the lower 48 states except North Dakota. After several years of driving, he returned to teaching, this time directing the school that trained him to drive. He retired from the school after a year and went on to work part-time at the local grocery store in Douglas, Wyoming.
After many years out west, Jim and Marge decided it was time to return to the mid-west, they bought a home in New Sharon. Not one to sit still, Jim took a job hauling grain for the Co-Op in New Sharon and would often help haul snow during spring cleanup in New Sharon.
Jim had a great love for adventure. He was a private pilot and was appointed as the Squadron Commander of the Western Colorado Civil Air Patrol. In Wyoming he was appointed as a reserve Deputy Sherriff and served there for seven years. He had a servant heart and always tried to make the communities his family was a part of a better place to live.
He was a member of the Lutheran Church in many of the communities they lived in and in Oskaloosa that is St. John Lutheran Church where he served as an elder and helped maintain the property. He was also a member of several community and professional organizations throughout his career.
While living out west he enjoyed hunting, fishing, backpacking, and horseback hunting in the mountains. He also enjoyed skiing in the mountains with Kelly and J.T. Jim also made many trips to Canada fishing with his son and other family members.
His family includes his wife of over 63 years Marjorie Roach of New Sharon; two children, James Thomas Roach of Douglas, Wyoming and Kelly (Scott) Miller of Garden City, Missouri; a grandson, James Alexander Roach; two sisters, Sheryl (Jim) Paulos of Des Moines and Debra DeWitt of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Wyndell Roach; and a sister, Wilma June Muilenburg.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, November 14, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. in the St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Sam Beltz officiating. Military Honors will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and V.F.W. As was
Jim’s wish, his body will be cremated following the funeral ceremony, burial of the urn will be in the Highland Cemetery at Eddyville. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation with the family present will be on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, in the St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa from 1 p.m. until service time at 2 p.m.
The family asks for no floral tributes or plants, if you feel inclined to donate, please donate to St. John Lutheran Church in Oskaloosa.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James Richard Roach please visit the Bates Funeral Chapel Sympathy Store.
