James Roach

James Roach passed away December 8, 2020, at the age of 74.
James was born February 2, 1946 in Youngstown, Ohio to Dolores Virginia (Bartholomew) and James Edward Roach, Sr. Growing up as the oldest with his brothers Frank and Edward and his sister Wanda in Port Arthur, James was yo-yo champion. He and his brother Frank would make money while doing yo-yo and playing pool. He even won his sister a bicycle by yo-yo and pool. Taking his role of big brother very seriously, he made sure his younger siblings always had Easter baskets and Christmas presents. He continued that role into his teenage years when he took the time to teach his little sister Wanda how to dance - including how to do the Mashed Potatoes. He was a great dancer and a good-looking young man. With his gift of gab, he always had many friends. James always wore a starched white shirt, which his sister always ironed for him. He loved spending time with his cousins Larry, Darrel, and Sandra, and cutting up and causing mischief for all, including his brother Frank. They were always getting beer in Louisiana and then driving back to Texas in the old Ford. He loved to fish and go crabbing as well. James would ride his bicycle to Pleasure Pier in Port Arthur to catch crabs and put in a bushel basket and ride home. James went to Woodrow Wilson and Thomas Edison High Schools in Port Arthur, Texas.
James was the real deal. His first two marriages, from high school and right after, resulted in two beautiful daughters each: Tamara Ann and Candace Marie from the first, and Dawn Marie Tucker and Dana Marie Waters from the second. His current wife is Sharon Gayle. James deeply loved his family and friends. He loved Cajun food and spending time with his cousin Sandra and Rusty during Mardi Gras. He enjoyed fishing with Darrell and Larry and shooting guns with his niece Geather Weeks. He loved chocolate pie from his cousin Shawnette (who he called Meaness) and drinking beer on the porch and having long talks with his daughter Dawn Marie and his son-in-law Joel. He enjoyed fixing cars with his friend Randy, and he loved riding motorcycles and being in his motorcycle club. James helped everyone.
James supported his family working as a maintenance mechanic and foreman at an envelope factory. When he wasn't hard at work, he was hard at play. When he was younger, James always took the family camping at Sam Rayburn, and enjoyed fishing more than just about anything. He would fish in the morning and water ski in the afternoon. He also spent vacations in Galveston with Barry and Sarah. He also enjoyed playing pool, yo-yo, crabbing, and playing Cajun music with his cousins. James was pretty Cajun and a proud Coon Ass, so sitting on the porch and enjoying a Budweiser with family and friends was just about perfect - even better if he could have some gumbo, red beans and rice, or boudin.
James leaves behind his wife Sharon Roach; his sister Wanda McKinnon; his daughters Dawn Tucker, Dana Waters, Tamara Anne and Candace Marie; his nieces Geather Weeks, Candi Crockett, and Tina Goodman; his nephew Clayton (Pete) Payne; his cousins Darrell Meeks, Sandra Benoit, Larry Meeks, David Bartholomew, Bob Bartholomew, Kurt Bartholomew and Sue Tritt; his grandchildren Tommy Martinez, Jr., Justin Martinez, Gannon Beaty, Colton Tucker, and Skylee Waters; his great-grandchildren Myla, Bexley, Knox, Brady, and Baylor Martinez; and a host of family and friends. He will be dearly missed.
To celebrate James' life, his family has planned a visitation on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 12 p.m. until 1 p.m. at Corley Funeral Home, followed immediately at 1 p.m. by a memorial service.
An online guestbook is available at www.corleyfuneralhome.com and selecting the James Roach obituary.