Obituary: Thomas Roach

A funeral mass for Thomas Roach, 69, of Cross Roads will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 11, 2018 at the St. Edwards Catholic Church with Father Nolan Lowry officiating. A private family interment will be held at a later date.

Mr. Roach passed on May 7, 2018 in Tyler, Texas.

Thomas Lillie Roach was born September 13, 1948 in DeWitt, Arkansas the son of Thomas Lillie Roach Sr. and Mavis Louise Reneau Roach. He was a Proud Marine, loved serving his country and was Honorably Discharged after several years of service. Thomas married the love of his life, Cecilia Marie Fetsch on October 25, 1969, was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed traveling and camping with his family, hunting and fishing. He loved working with wood, building his mother’s home and the home he and his family live in. Pops was a family man, a loving husband, son, father, grandfather and brother and he will be greatly missed by all he knew and loved.

He was preceded in death by his father Thomas Roach Sr. and his father and mother-in-law Albert and Mena Fetsch.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years Cecilia Roach of Cross Roads; his mother Mavis Roach of Swann; one son Josh Roach of Austin; one grandson Evan Roach of Kyle; two brothers, Gary Roach and wife Tersa of Trinidad, Terry Roach and wife Thersa of Tyler; two sisters, Gwen Faulkner and husband David of Mesquite, Shelia Jones and husband Randy of Crandall; three sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, May 10, 2018 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with the Rosary being held at 6:30 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

Serving as Pallbearers: Tom Bailey, Tim Bailey, Russell Bailey, Charles Brown, Cody Jones, Danny Watkins, John Fetsch, Richard Brown, Terry Brown and T.J. Roach.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family.

You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.