Merle Roach, 90, passed away on January 8, 2023, going peacefully in his favorite chair and eating his favorite snack, popcorn.
He was born January 1, 1933, in Saginaw, AL. After graduating from Thompson High School, Merle earned a BS from Livingston State University, a master’s degree from North Texas University and a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Alabama. These events were briefly interrupted by the draft during the Korean War where he served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Thailand. Merle received great joy from teaching young people. He met the love of his life, Carol Ashburn, while teaching at the University of Montevallo where she was teaching at the local high school in 1957. He taught Mathematics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville for 26 years (1967-1993).
In 1995 he was able to accomplish his lifelong dream of buying some land and being a gentleman farmer in Owens Cross Roads, AL. There he raised everything from cows, horses, honeybees, and crops. Merle set the finest example for his children as a Christian, dedicated husband, and father. He was a lifelong member and served in numerous roles of the United Methodist Church up until his death. Merle was a quiet Christian. He preferred working behind the scenes and getting what he called “brownie points”. One of his brownie points that he had a particular passion for was creating custom chairs and furniture for those with cerebral palsy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Kenner Roach and Edith Shepard Roach, and his brother, Lyle Roach. He is survived by his loving wife of almost 65 years, Carol Ashburn Roach; two daughters, Sarah Roach Thomason and Susan Roach Erb (Roy); and son, Charles Everett Roach (Michele). He also leaves behind eight grandchildren that he loved hosting at his farm: Conner Thomason, Carol Ann Travis, Jay Thomason, Lindsey Erb, Sarah Megan Erb, Watts Erb, Mackenzie Stockhausen, and Elizabeth Roach; and two great-grandchildren, Shepard Travis and Crew Thomason.
Visitation will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, January 13th, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home with the funeral service following in the chapel at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to Chestnut Grove United Methodist Church, 731 Cherry Tree Road, Gurley, AL 35748 where he and Carol have been active members for the past 27 years.
