David Wilson Roach
David Wilson Roach of Groesbeck, died on March 26, 2019, at Mexia LTC, at age 84.
A chapel service will be held at the Groesbeck Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, with Richard Williams and Clif Fox officiating. Burial with military honors will follow at Thornton City Cemetery.
David was born on Aug. 8, 1934, on the Roach family farm near Thornton. He lost his father at an early age and the family had to move to Groesbeck. His parents were Knolie B. Roach and Emma Manning Roach. He graduated from Groesbeck High School in 1952 where he played football and often got kicked out of the game because he thought someone was too rough on his older brother, Kenneth. He thought he had to take up for him.
After graduation David enlisted in the United States Marines. He was stationed in El Tora Marine Corps Air Station, Santa Ana, Calif. Later he was sent to Korea where he was in the First Marine Aircraft Wing assigned to the “Devilcats” fighter bomber squadron of Marine Aircraft Group 12. While in Korea he was awarded the Presidential Foreign Korea Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, United Nations Medal, National Defense Medal and the Marine Good Conduct Medal.
He was highly recommended by his commanding officers for officer’s school. He loved being a Marine but had spent all that time in Korea and was ready to come home and see his family. He promised his commanding officer and his mother if he left the Marines, he would come home and go to college. After returning to the US, David was located at Camp Pendleton, California, before being honorably discharged in August 1955. He then served in the reserves until 1960.
After returning home to Groesbeck, David went to work at General Tire in Waco. He worked nights and went to Baylor University during the day. He graduated from Baylor with a BBA degree in Management & Finance in January of 1961.
After graduation, David was recruited by Southwestern Bell and put on the executive program. He was working as 1st line supervisor when Hurricane Carla hit Galveston and Freeport in 1961. When President Kennedy was killed in 1963, David was 2nd line supervisor in Austin. They had to run 70 miles of telephone lines to the LBJ Ranch headquarters in Johnson City for Vice President Johnson when he took over as president of the United States. Later, David became district plant manager in Huntsville and the superintendent in Beaumont. His career with Southwestern Bell took him to many locations, but he said he liked Austin the best.
Years later David moved to New York. Then he decided to move back west where he took an engagement ring to an Airline Stewardess, Janie Farmer, in Denver, Colo., and asked her to marry him. They came back to Texas where they were married. He then took the job of Auditor for Collin County. Later he was asked to be the Limestone County auditor, where he saved the county over a million dollars in his first year and made significant improvements in the courthouse. He and Janie also had the ups and downs of cattle raising and the grandkids had fun naming the baby calves.
Due to declining health, David got out of the cattle business. He still enjoyed having coffee and talks with all his coffee buddies at Mary’s until he couldn’t go anymore. He spent his last days in the Mexia LTC.
David was preceded in death by his infant son, David Wilson Roach II; his mother and father; a brother, Billy Joe Roach, killed in World War II; a brother, Kenneth Roach; sisters, Gloria Hawkins, Margie Marcus, and Mary Tietjen; and a special niece and nephew, Robin Roach McMinn and Randy Roach.
David was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ and he loved the Marines. Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi.
He leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 45 years, Janie Roach; his daughter, Michelle Henson and husband Jack of Robinson; a son, David Bryan Roach of Maine; granddaughter Amy Moegelin and husband Chad of Robinson; their two children, Cade and Drew Moegelin; granddaughter Deena Pino and husband David of Woodway; granddaughter Christen Pena and husband Greg of California; grandson, John Roach and his four children of California; brother, Terry Don Roach and wife Angie of Groesbeck; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
His family would like to thank Mexia LTC director, Martha Saling and her employees for the love and care they showed David. Also a special thank you goes to all Hospice and Providence Hospice caregivers.
Messages of condolence may be left on the guestbook at www.groesbeckfuneralhome.com
