Obituary of Jimmie Dale Roach

Jimmie “Jim” Dale Roach, age 81, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his life, Patricia “Patty” Gay (Brooks) Roach and family at his home in Logan on Saturday, February 20, 2021, after battling cancer. Throughout his illness, he was lovingly cared for by his daughter Melissa. Jim was born October 6, 1939 in Accoville, WV, to Aubrey and Charlie (Porter) Roach. He was a 1958 graduate of Man High School and spent his years working in coal, overseeing the laboratory for various coal corporations. He married Patty, the love of his life, on August 4, 1962 at Claypool United Methodist Church in Davin. He was a devoted husband and father. Jim was a member of Claypool United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee, treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent, member of the United Methodist Men, and chair of the finance committee for many years. He loved God, gospel music, bulldogs – and all dogs, cars, and singing bass. He and his wife were members of The New Life Singers gospel quartet and sang for decades far and wide across the region, sharing their love of Jesus. Throughout his life, Jim was always caring for others. It was his purpose. He had an unwavering sense of responsibility, compassion, and duty. He took care of his mother throughout her life until her death in 1998, assisted his wife in caring for her sick mother until her passing, and together they cared for Patty’s aunt and uncle in the last years of their lives. When Patty was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in the early 2000s, Jim dedicated the rest of life to ensuring that all her needs - both physically and emotionally - were met and exceeded. For 15 years he was her faithful protector and caregiver. Their love affair was the stuff of legends. When Jim departed this world at 3:30pm, seven hours later Patty joined him. Death could not keep them apart. It seems she had been waiting all those years for him to pass, so he’d never have to bear the pain of her death – and she’d never be without him. Jim’s family and dear friends will forever remember him as a man of honor, devotion, and faith. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Ronald Roach, his sister Frances (Adkins) Browning, and his son-in-law Jim Frye. Jim is survived by his beloved daughters: Melissa Frye of Logan, Rebecca Lynch and her husband John Jeffrey “JJ” Lynch of Bloomfield, NJ; two grandsons, Jackson Frye and Griffin Frye of Logan; and two granddaughters, Annabella Lynch and Grace Lynch of Bloomfield, NJ. The family will receive friends at Claypool United Methodist Church on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 from 6-9pm. Due to the pandemic, a private funeral will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 1:00pm at Claypool United Methodist Church. The funeral will be live broadcast, publicly, on Facebook. To virtually participate in the funeral, please visit the Facebook page of Claypool United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Patty and Jim Roach may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org.