Thomas Lee Roach
August 16, 1942 — May 28, 2020
TOM ROACH
Tom Roach—family man with a ready laugh, proud veteran and talented woodworker—died May 28, 2020, at Legacy Pointe in Waukee with his wife Mary at his side.
Tom was born to John and Florence Roach on August 16, 1942, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Carlisle, where he developed his strong work ethic. As the oldest of five boys, Tom was tasked with helping his mother kill and dress chickens—a chore he did begrudgingly and that resulted in his lifelong refusal to eat chicken.
After graduating from Carlisle High School, Tom followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Navy. He was stationed primarily in Puerto Rico, where his work as an aviation mechanic guided his future career. Tom was proud of his service, and in later years was rarely seen without his Naval aviation hat.
Tom settled in Des Moines to raise his family. He worked at Armstrong Rubber Co. for 30 years, and retired from Firestone as an electrician in 2010. In 1994, he and Mary moved near Cumming, fulfilling Tom’s dream of building a house on family land.
Tom had many hobbies over his lifetime: boating, skiing, woodworking, biking (both bicycles and motorcycles), target shooting, reading and gardening. He loved sharing the abundance of pumpkins from his patch with neighbors, friends and family. He was also known to wow his grandkids with an occasional experiment, such as launching plastic soda bottles high in the air, and working together to make toy cars from scrap lumber. Until his health prohibited, he met up with his union buddies for breakfast and regularly gave blood at the Des Moines blood center.
In addition to his wife of almost 42 years, Mary, Tom is survived by children Brian (Stacie) Roach, Kansas City, Missouri; Denise Roach, Des Moines; Tim (Stacey) Roach, Ankeny; Tom (Judi) Roach, Urbandale; and Jennifer Mecham, Norwalk. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, great-grandchildren and brothers Danny (JoAnn), Carlisle; John (Jan), Boca Raton, Florida; Dave (Sheri), Carlisle; and Phil (Amy), St. Louis. A special thanks to the staff at Legacy Pointe for their care and kindness.
A private family service for Tom Roach, age 77 of Cumming will be held Tuesday, June 2 at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville. Burial with military hors will be in Lincoln Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at www.BertrandFuneralHomes.com .
Tom Roach—family man with a ready laugh, proud veteran and talented woodworker—died May 28, 2020, at Legacy Pointe in Waukee with his wife Mary at his side.
Tom was born to John and Florence Roach on August 16, 1942, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up on a farm near Carlisle, where he developed his strong work ethic. As the oldest of five boys, Tom was tasked with helping his mother kill and dress chickens—a chore he did begrudgingly and that resulted in his lifelong refusal to eat chicken.
After graduating from Carlisle High School, Tom followed in his father’s footsteps by joining the Navy. He was stationed primarily in Puerto Rico, where his work as an aviation mechanic guided his future career. Tom was proud of his service, and in later years was rarely seen without his Naval aviation hat.
Tom settled in Des Moines to raise his family. He worked at Armstrong Rubber Co. for 30 years, and retired from Firestone as an electrician in 2010. In 1994, he and Mary moved near Cumming, fulfilling Tom’s dream of building a house on family land.
Tom had many hobbies over his lifetime: boating, skiing, woodworking, biking (both bicycles and motorcycles), target shooting, reading and gardening. He loved sharing the abundance of pumpkins from his patch with neighbors, friends and family. He was also known to wow his grandkids with an occasional experiment, such as launching plastic soda bottles high in the air, and working together to make toy cars from scrap lumber. Until his health prohibited, he met up with his union buddies for breakfast and regularly gave blood at the Des Moines blood center.
In addition to his wife of almost 42 years, Mary, Tom is survived by children Brian (Stacie) Roach, Kansas City, Missouri; Denise Roach, Des Moines; Tim (Stacey) Roach, Ankeny; Tom (Judi) Roach, Urbandale; and Jennifer Mecham, Norwalk. He also leaves behind nine grandchildren, great-grandchildren and brothers Danny (JoAnn), Carlisle; John (Jan), Boca Raton, Florida; Dave (Sheri), Carlisle; and Phil (Amy), St. Louis. A special thanks to the staff at Legacy Pointe for their care and kindness.
A private family service for Tom Roach, age 77 of Cumming will be held Tuesday, June 2 at Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville. Burial with military hors will be in Lincoln Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at www.BertrandFuneralHomes.com .
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