After receiving the last of visits and telephone calls from his three beloved grandchildren, and with loved ones at his side, Joseph Elliot Roach peacefully passed away in his Houston, Texas home June 3, 2023. Joe, or Elliot, or Papa Joe as he was variously called by family, friends and colleagues, was a remarkable man who led an extraordinary life. Born amid the Great Depression on December 11, 1929, he was the eighth and last child born to Maude Clark and John Henry Roach. Though the family's circumstances had drastically changed with the Depression, as a toddler he knew nothing but the love and fun of the happy tribe. Life was a grand adventure, including riding his two-wheeled tricycle anywhere his imagination took him.
Joe followed his siblings to St. Anne Catholic School and brothers Jack, Elmore and Jimmy into St. Thomas High School where he claimed all their friends as his own, while making many, many more. There he enjoyed participating in all school activities and fun, and he was thrilled being part of the mighty Eagles football team traveling by train to New York City to play eastern champions. He spent summers working sundry odd jobs in Houston and at Mo Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, and he regularly hitchhiked to Galveston to enjoy the beaches with his friends.
In his junior year of high school, Joe imagined it would be a good idea to join the Marine Corps Reserve and get to experience their summer camp in California. After graduating from St. Thomas in 1950, this creative bid to see the West Coast backfired when his group was called to active duty and sent for additional training at Camp Pendleton. Not long after that, Joe was aboard ship heading for Korea, where unfortunately he would become one of the "Chosin Few."
While he rarely spoke of it, shortly after active duty began for 20-year-old Sergeant Joe Roach, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marines Division, he found himself in a foxhole, feet frozen in the minus–sixty-degree temperature, three enemy bullets in his leg, surrounded by the advancing Chinese in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Joe loosed all the firepower he had before the enemy swept through and took him prisoner. He was made to march on frozen, injured feet miles to an enemy stockade. Three days later after calming a frightened enemy guard, he was able to escape, eventually found a friendly patrol, and was evacuated to hospital in Japan. He lost part of his foot and never fully recovered from his injuries, but he was forever grateful for survival. Years ago he was quoted in a Houston paper saying, "I was a good Christian when I left, I guess. But I'm a real one now. War does that to you."
While Joe still was hospitalized, President Harry Truman personally awarded him his second of two Purple Heart medals. Though he truly liked the president, the proud Marine brazenly asked Truman why he once had degraded the Marines by calling them the "Navy's police?" Truman waived off the question observing that the unfortunate comment brought him periodic grief. The attending Marine Commandant was none too pleased with the Sergeant's impertinent question, but Joe's fellow Marines hooted with approval at "Sarg's" defense of his brothers.
As time passed, Joe realized that if he was going to marry his "stubborn girl," Rice University coed Joann Condron, a college degree would be useful. So, with the assistance of the G.I. Bill he enrolled at The University of Houston. It worked, and the two lovers married in St. Anne's Catholic Church on May 30, 1952. Joe graduated in 1956 with an engineering degree, and he spent his working career in the oil industry, retiring from Amber Booth in 2000 as Vice President of Sales. But the greatest chapter in his life was his 71 wonderful years of marriage with Joann. Theirs was a marriage filled with family, friends and laughter as well as wonderful and active daughters Marilee and Melissa. And to his grandchildren Nelson, Audrey and Lewis he became Papa Joe. He and Joann, a/k/a Gran, enjoyed many trips to the beaches of Galveston, where the grandkids spent hours digging and building sandcastles with Papa Joe's hand auger and folding shovel, these tools always being necesssary to a successful outing! Papa Joe and Gran loved taking the grandkids to the zoo, Houston museums, Astros and Rice Owl games, and dinner with friends at Nash's.
Papa Joe was a man of many talents. He had a mechanical mind and could fix anything, often with just his pocketknife. More than once his girls' fears turned to appreciation when he endeavored to -- and successfully -- fixed a boyfriend's car. Joe had a beautiful tenor voice and was a natural on the dance floor. He was a quick wit and could banter with the best, including Marilee and Melissa's friends, with happy laughter following.
Joe was a Marine through and through. He proudly flew the American and Marine Corps flags, enjoyed a good parade and was a patriot. He carried his 1950's era Marine Corps ID with him, and with it was once granted entry into restricted areas of Camp Pendleton so he could show his grandkids around.
Joe knew everyone it seemed, explaining it by joking that he "went to school with them." His friends list included Marilee and Melissa's friends as well. He knew their names and enjoyed their company.
Papa Joe was faithful and prayerful to the end. He was a fixture at St. Anne's, contributing his time and treasure, and he was involved with the St. Anne's School Foundation. Though Catholic by faith, Joe was a terrific Methodist father. He participated in his girls church activities, even securing his bus driver's license so he could chauffeur and lead the Houston Bethany Methodist Church youth choir around the country. Papa Joe was a friend. He knew how blessed he was, and it pained him to see others suffering, so he never hesitated to give freely to help.
Papa Joe is survived by "his girl" and bride of 71 years, Joann Condron Roach as well as by daughter Marilee and husband Jon Pankratz of Fredericksburg, Texas, daughter Melissa and husband Link Grimes and grandson Nelson Link Grimes and wife Rebekah of Midland Texas, granddaughter Audrey Condron Grimes of San Francisco, California, grandson Lewis Elliot Grimes of Austin, Texas, sisters-in-law, Betty Jean Ligon and Dot Roach of Houston, and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Harvey and Winnie Condron, sisters Hattie Maude Fischer (Fred), Mary Stella Davis (Lee), Leone Elizabeth Clonts (Gene), and Edna Margaret Pendarvis (Frank), and by his brothers Jack Henry Roach (Jeanette), Charles Elmore Roach (Juanita), James Clark Roach, as well as brother-in-law R. Manning Ligon.
Services at St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston. Burial at Houston National Cemetery. The family suggests that donations in his memory be made to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007, or a charity of your choice.
Source: Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, Houston, Texas
Joe followed his siblings to St. Anne Catholic School and brothers Jack, Elmore and Jimmy into St. Thomas High School where he claimed all their friends as his own, while making many, many more. There he enjoyed participating in all school activities and fun, and he was thrilled being part of the mighty Eagles football team traveling by train to New York City to play eastern champions. He spent summers working sundry odd jobs in Houston and at Mo Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, and he regularly hitchhiked to Galveston to enjoy the beaches with his friends.
In his junior year of high school, Joe imagined it would be a good idea to join the Marine Corps Reserve and get to experience their summer camp in California. After graduating from St. Thomas in 1950, this creative bid to see the West Coast backfired when his group was called to active duty and sent for additional training at Camp Pendleton. Not long after that, Joe was aboard ship heading for Korea, where unfortunately he would become one of the "Chosin Few."
While he rarely spoke of it, shortly after active duty began for 20-year-old Sergeant Joe Roach, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marines Division, he found himself in a foxhole, feet frozen in the minus–sixty-degree temperature, three enemy bullets in his leg, surrounded by the advancing Chinese in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Joe loosed all the firepower he had before the enemy swept through and took him prisoner. He was made to march on frozen, injured feet miles to an enemy stockade. Three days later after calming a frightened enemy guard, he was able to escape, eventually found a friendly patrol, and was evacuated to hospital in Japan. He lost part of his foot and never fully recovered from his injuries, but he was forever grateful for survival. Years ago he was quoted in a Houston paper saying, "I was a good Christian when I left, I guess. But I'm a real one now. War does that to you."
While Joe still was hospitalized, President Harry Truman personally awarded him his second of two Purple Heart medals. Though he truly liked the president, the proud Marine brazenly asked Truman why he once had degraded the Marines by calling them the "Navy's police?" Truman waived off the question observing that the unfortunate comment brought him periodic grief. The attending Marine Commandant was none too pleased with the Sergeant's impertinent question, but Joe's fellow Marines hooted with approval at "Sarg's" defense of his brothers.
As time passed, Joe realized that if he was going to marry his "stubborn girl," Rice University coed Joann Condron, a college degree would be useful. So, with the assistance of the G.I. Bill he enrolled at The University of Houston. It worked, and the two lovers married in St. Anne's Catholic Church on May 30, 1952. Joe graduated in 1956 with an engineering degree, and he spent his working career in the oil industry, retiring from Amber Booth in 2000 as Vice President of Sales. But the greatest chapter in his life was his 71 wonderful years of marriage with Joann. Theirs was a marriage filled with family, friends and laughter as well as wonderful and active daughters Marilee and Melissa. And to his grandchildren Nelson, Audrey and Lewis he became Papa Joe. He and Joann, a/k/a Gran, enjoyed many trips to the beaches of Galveston, where the grandkids spent hours digging and building sandcastles with Papa Joe's hand auger and folding shovel, these tools always being necesssary to a successful outing! Papa Joe and Gran loved taking the grandkids to the zoo, Houston museums, Astros and Rice Owl games, and dinner with friends at Nash's.
Papa Joe was a man of many talents. He had a mechanical mind and could fix anything, often with just his pocketknife. More than once his girls' fears turned to appreciation when he endeavored to -- and successfully -- fixed a boyfriend's car. Joe had a beautiful tenor voice and was a natural on the dance floor. He was a quick wit and could banter with the best, including Marilee and Melissa's friends, with happy laughter following.
Joe was a Marine through and through. He proudly flew the American and Marine Corps flags, enjoyed a good parade and was a patriot. He carried his 1950's era Marine Corps ID with him, and with it was once granted entry into restricted areas of Camp Pendleton so he could show his grandkids around.
Joe knew everyone it seemed, explaining it by joking that he "went to school with them." His friends list included Marilee and Melissa's friends as well. He knew their names and enjoyed their company.
Papa Joe was faithful and prayerful to the end. He was a fixture at St. Anne's, contributing his time and treasure, and he was involved with the St. Anne's School Foundation. Though Catholic by faith, Joe was a terrific Methodist father. He participated in his girls church activities, even securing his bus driver's license so he could chauffeur and lead the Houston Bethany Methodist Church youth choir around the country. Papa Joe was a friend. He knew how blessed he was, and it pained him to see others suffering, so he never hesitated to give freely to help.
Papa Joe is survived by "his girl" and bride of 71 years, Joann Condron Roach as well as by daughter Marilee and husband Jon Pankratz of Fredericksburg, Texas, daughter Melissa and husband Link Grimes and grandson Nelson Link Grimes and wife Rebekah of Midland Texas, granddaughter Audrey Condron Grimes of San Francisco, California, grandson Lewis Elliot Grimes of Austin, Texas, sisters-in-law, Betty Jean Ligon and Dot Roach of Houston, and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Harvey and Winnie Condron, sisters Hattie Maude Fischer (Fred), Mary Stella Davis (Lee), Leone Elizabeth Clonts (Gene), and Edna Margaret Pendarvis (Frank), and by his brothers Jack Henry Roach (Jeanette), Charles Elmore Roach (Juanita), James Clark Roach, as well as brother-in-law R. Manning Ligon.
Services at St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston. Burial at Houston National Cemetery. The family suggests that donations in his memory be made to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007, or a charity of your choice.
Source: Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, Houston, Texas
After receiving the last of visits and telephone calls from his three beloved grandchildren, and with loved ones at his side, Joseph Elliot Roach peacefully passed away in his Houston, Texas home June 3, 2023. Joe, or Elliot, or Papa Joe as he was variously called by family, friends and colleagues, was a remarkable man who led an extraordinary life. Born amid the Great Depression on December 11, 1929, he was the eighth and last child born to Maude Clark and John Henry Roach. Though the family's circumstances had drastically changed with the Depression, as a toddler he knew nothing but the love and fun of the happy tribe. Life was a grand adventure, including riding his two-wheeled tricycle anywhere his imagination took him.
Joe followed his siblings to St. Anne Catholic School and brothers Jack, Elmore and Jimmy into St. Thomas High School where he claimed all their friends as his own, while making many, many more. There he enjoyed participating in all school activities and fun, and he was thrilled being part of the mighty Eagles football team traveling by train to New York City to play eastern champions. He spent summers working sundry odd jobs in Houston and at Mo Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, and he regularly hitchhiked to Galveston to enjoy the beaches with his friends.
In his junior year of high school, Joe imagined it would be a good idea to join the Marine Corps Reserve and get to experience their summer camp in California. After graduating from St. Thomas in 1950, this creative bid to see the West Coast backfired when his group was called to active duty and sent for additional training at Camp Pendleton. Not long after that, Joe was aboard ship heading for Korea, where unfortunately he would become one of the "Chosin Few."
While he rarely spoke of it, shortly after active duty began for 20-year-old Sergeant Joe Roach, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marines Division, he found himself in a foxhole, feet frozen in the minus–sixty-degree temperature, three enemy bullets in his leg, surrounded by the advancing Chinese in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Joe loosed all the firepower he had before the enemy swept through and took him prisoner. He was made to march on frozen, injured feet miles to an enemy stockade. Three days later after calming a frightened enemy guard, he was able to escape, eventually found a friendly patrol, and was evacuated to hospital in Japan. He lost part of his foot and never fully recovered from his injuries, but he was forever grateful for survival. Years ago he was quoted in a Houston paper saying, "I was a good Christian when I left, I guess. But I'm a real one now. War does that to you."
While Joe still was hospitalized, President Harry Truman personally awarded him his second of two Purple Heart medals. Though he truly liked the president, the proud Marine brazenly asked Truman why he once had degraded the Marines by calling them the "Navy's police?" Truman waived off the question observing that the unfortunate comment brought him periodic grief. The attending Marine Commandant was none too pleased with the Sergeant's impertinent question, but Joe's fellow Marines hooted with approval at "Sarg's" defense of his brothers.
As time passed, Joe realized that if he was going to marry his "stubborn girl," Rice University coed Joann Condron, a college degree would be useful. So, with the assistance of the G.I. Bill he enrolled at The University of Houston. It worked, and the two lovers married in St. Anne's Catholic Church on May 30, 1952. Joe graduated in 1956 with an engineering degree, and he spent his working career in the oil industry, retiring from Amber Booth in 2000 as Vice President of Sales. But the greatest chapter in his life was his 71 wonderful years of marriage with Joann. Theirs was a marriage filled with family, friends and laughter as well as wonderful and active daughters Marilee and Melissa. And to his grandchildren Nelson, Audrey and Lewis he became Papa Joe. He and Joann, a/k/a Gran, enjoyed many trips to the beaches of Galveston, where the grandkids spent hours digging and building sandcastles with Papa Joe's hand auger and folding shovel, these tools always being necesssary to a successful outing! Papa Joe and Gran loved taking the grandkids to the zoo, Houston museums, Astros and Rice Owl games, and dinner with friends at Nash's.
Papa Joe was a man of many talents. He had a mechanical mind and could fix anything, often with just his pocketknife. More than once his girls' fears turned to appreciation when he endeavored to -- and successfully -- fixed a boyfriend's car. Joe had a beautiful tenor voice and was a natural on the dance floor. He was a quick wit and could banter with the best, including Marilee and Melissa's friends, with happy laughter following.
Joe was a Marine through and through. He proudly flew the American and Marine Corps flags, enjoyed a good parade and was a patriot. He carried his 1950's era Marine Corps ID with him, and with it was once granted entry into restricted areas of Camp Pendleton so he could show his grandkids around.
Joe knew everyone it seemed, explaining it by joking that he "went to school with them." His friends list included Marilee and Melissa's friends as well. He knew their names and enjoyed their company.
Papa Joe was faithful and prayerful to the end. He was a fixture at St. Anne's, contributing his time and treasure, and he was involved with the St. Anne's School Foundation. Though Catholic by faith, Joe was a terrific Methodist father. He participated in his girls church activities, even securing his bus driver's license so he could chauffeur and lead the Houston Bethany Methodist Church youth choir around the country. Papa Joe was a friend. He knew how blessed he was, and it pained him to see others suffering, so he never hesitated to give freely to help.
Papa Joe is survived by "his girl" and bride of 71 years, Joann Condron Roach as well as by daughter Marilee and husband Jon Pankratz of Fredericksburg, Texas, daughter Melissa and husband Link Grimes and grandson Nelson Link Grimes and wife Rebekah of Midland Texas, granddaughter Audrey Condron Grimes of San Francisco, California, grandson Lewis Elliot Grimes of Austin, Texas, sisters-in-law, Betty Jean Ligon and Dot Roach of Houston, and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Harvey and Winnie Condron, sisters Hattie Maude Fischer (Fred), Mary Stella Davis (Lee), Leone Elizabeth Clonts (Gene), and Edna Margaret Pendarvis (Frank), and by his brothers Jack Henry Roach (Jeanette), Charles Elmore Roach (Juanita), James Clark Roach, as well as brother-in-law R. Manning Ligon.
Services at St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston. Burial at Houston National Cemetery. The family suggests that donations in his memory be made to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007, or a charity of your choice.
Source: Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, Houston, Texas
Joe followed his siblings to St. Anne Catholic School and brothers Jack, Elmore and Jimmy into St. Thomas High School where he claimed all their friends as his own, while making many, many more. There he enjoyed participating in all school activities and fun, and he was thrilled being part of the mighty Eagles football team traveling by train to New York City to play eastern champions. He spent summers working sundry odd jobs in Houston and at Mo Ranch in the Texas Hill Country, and he regularly hitchhiked to Galveston to enjoy the beaches with his friends.
In his junior year of high school, Joe imagined it would be a good idea to join the Marine Corps Reserve and get to experience their summer camp in California. After graduating from St. Thomas in 1950, this creative bid to see the West Coast backfired when his group was called to active duty and sent for additional training at Camp Pendleton. Not long after that, Joe was aboard ship heading for Korea, where unfortunately he would become one of the "Chosin Few."
While he rarely spoke of it, shortly after active duty began for 20-year-old Sergeant Joe Roach, Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Regiment, 1st Marines Division, he found himself in a foxhole, feet frozen in the minus–sixty-degree temperature, three enemy bullets in his leg, surrounded by the advancing Chinese in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. Joe loosed all the firepower he had before the enemy swept through and took him prisoner. He was made to march on frozen, injured feet miles to an enemy stockade. Three days later after calming a frightened enemy guard, he was able to escape, eventually found a friendly patrol, and was evacuated to hospital in Japan. He lost part of his foot and never fully recovered from his injuries, but he was forever grateful for survival. Years ago he was quoted in a Houston paper saying, "I was a good Christian when I left, I guess. But I'm a real one now. War does that to you."
While Joe still was hospitalized, President Harry Truman personally awarded him his second of two Purple Heart medals. Though he truly liked the president, the proud Marine brazenly asked Truman why he once had degraded the Marines by calling them the "Navy's police?" Truman waived off the question observing that the unfortunate comment brought him periodic grief. The attending Marine Commandant was none too pleased with the Sergeant's impertinent question, but Joe's fellow Marines hooted with approval at "Sarg's" defense of his brothers.
As time passed, Joe realized that if he was going to marry his "stubborn girl," Rice University coed Joann Condron, a college degree would be useful. So, with the assistance of the G.I. Bill he enrolled at The University of Houston. It worked, and the two lovers married in St. Anne's Catholic Church on May 30, 1952. Joe graduated in 1956 with an engineering degree, and he spent his working career in the oil industry, retiring from Amber Booth in 2000 as Vice President of Sales. But the greatest chapter in his life was his 71 wonderful years of marriage with Joann. Theirs was a marriage filled with family, friends and laughter as well as wonderful and active daughters Marilee and Melissa. And to his grandchildren Nelson, Audrey and Lewis he became Papa Joe. He and Joann, a/k/a Gran, enjoyed many trips to the beaches of Galveston, where the grandkids spent hours digging and building sandcastles with Papa Joe's hand auger and folding shovel, these tools always being necesssary to a successful outing! Papa Joe and Gran loved taking the grandkids to the zoo, Houston museums, Astros and Rice Owl games, and dinner with friends at Nash's.
Papa Joe was a man of many talents. He had a mechanical mind and could fix anything, often with just his pocketknife. More than once his girls' fears turned to appreciation when he endeavored to -- and successfully -- fixed a boyfriend's car. Joe had a beautiful tenor voice and was a natural on the dance floor. He was a quick wit and could banter with the best, including Marilee and Melissa's friends, with happy laughter following.
Joe was a Marine through and through. He proudly flew the American and Marine Corps flags, enjoyed a good parade and was a patriot. He carried his 1950's era Marine Corps ID with him, and with it was once granted entry into restricted areas of Camp Pendleton so he could show his grandkids around.
Joe knew everyone it seemed, explaining it by joking that he "went to school with them." His friends list included Marilee and Melissa's friends as well. He knew their names and enjoyed their company.
Papa Joe was faithful and prayerful to the end. He was a fixture at St. Anne's, contributing his time and treasure, and he was involved with the St. Anne's School Foundation. Though Catholic by faith, Joe was a terrific Methodist father. He participated in his girls church activities, even securing his bus driver's license so he could chauffeur and lead the Houston Bethany Methodist Church youth choir around the country. Papa Joe was a friend. He knew how blessed he was, and it pained him to see others suffering, so he never hesitated to give freely to help.
Papa Joe is survived by "his girl" and bride of 71 years, Joann Condron Roach as well as by daughter Marilee and husband Jon Pankratz of Fredericksburg, Texas, daughter Melissa and husband Link Grimes and grandson Nelson Link Grimes and wife Rebekah of Midland Texas, granddaughter Audrey Condron Grimes of San Francisco, California, grandson Lewis Elliot Grimes of Austin, Texas, sisters-in-law, Betty Jean Ligon and Dot Roach of Houston, and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his in-laws Harvey and Winnie Condron, sisters Hattie Maude Fischer (Fred), Mary Stella Davis (Lee), Leone Elizabeth Clonts (Gene), and Edna Margaret Pendarvis (Frank), and by his brothers Jack Henry Roach (Jeanette), Charles Elmore Roach (Juanita), James Clark Roach, as well as brother-in-law R. Manning Ligon.
Services at St. Anne Catholic Church in Houston. Burial at Houston National Cemetery. The family suggests that donations in his memory be made to St. Thomas High School, 4500 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007, or a charity of your choice.
Source: Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, Houston, Texas
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