"I just saw where Jim passed away in Dec. I lost my mom Dec. 5 and you may see her obituary written by our daughter Rochelle. My mom spoke about what fun it was to know Jim and Ginny, We visited you in Tucson many years back when my kids were perhaps not even born yet. My condolences.. We will miss these folks a lot!"
In loving memory of
James D. Roth
August 19, 1928 - December 23, 2015
James D. Roth 87, of Tucson, AZ died on December 23 in Tucson.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, January 9 at 10:30 am at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 2800 W. Ina Road, Tucson, AZ
Mr. Roth was born on August 19, 1928 in Hazelton, Pennsylvania the oldest child of James D. Roth Sr. and Mary Bevington Roth. He graduated from Fairmount High School in Fairmount, Indiana and received a bachelors and masters degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
He served the Coolidge Unified School district as a teacher, coach, bus driver, guidance counselor, assistant principal, acting principal, and superintendent. During his tenure as superintendent Kenliworth Elementary was consolidated into CUSD, 5 bond issues were passed including the Performing Arts Center, Coolidge high school cafeteria, district bus barn, 2 classroom wings and the library at West school, and an extension at the Junior High School. He assisted teachers in organizing the Coolidge Education Association, worked with the architect to build the Round House, started the Christmas basketball tournament and was a charter member of the Arizona School Administrator Association. He was inducted into the Coolidge High School Hall of Fame in October. Mr. Roth retired as superintendent of Sahuarita Unified School District, Sahuarita, AZ.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Virginia Irvin Roth; two daughters, Charie Wallace of Casa Grande and Susan Roth Mulrow of Tucson; 3 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren; 2 brothers Bob and Jake Roth, and a sister Joan Butcher all of Fairmount, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you support your local schools because Jim dedicated his life to educating young people and believed in the public school system.
Adair Funeral Home, Oro Valley, AZ is handling arrangements. Local arrangements are be entrusted to Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com
Tributes
"So sorry for the loss of your brother, Bob."
"So sorry to hear of James passing. He continued to pursue his love for education of youth in Arizona after leaving Fairmount. My so-lasting memory of coach Jim was in 1955 at the Marion basketball county sectional where his team beat the Marion players in a double overtime final game.I was fortunate to be a player guard on his team.Even today that memory lives on with many people~~~"
"I am so sorry to hear of his passing. After leaving Fairmount, "Coach" continued his pursuit of educating the youth in Arizona. My fondest memory of Coach was in the 1955 Marion basketball sectional tournament. He coached our team and we beat Marion in double OT. I was a guard on the Fairmount team and even today, people still remember that game. Fond memories held by all..."
"Bob,Joan,Jake &families, so sorry to read of your brother's passing. Please accept our condolences. Dick and Judy Hensley"
"My condolence goes out to the entire Roth family."
"I did know know Jim but I am a friend of his brothers and sister. I played basketball in 1949 and 1950 at FHS. I had always heard of Jim's accomplishments. My sympathy to the family. I know he will be missed but he leaves memories to be cherished."
"I had the distinct pleasure and honor of serving as Coach Jim Roth's 1953-55 basketball team student manager in Fairmount, Indiana. Under his guidance, we won the sectional over heavily favored Marion in 1955. His character showed through many times - once being when we lost the regional to Bluffton because a player mistakenly called a time out that we did not have. Jim never made an issue of that, but just said how proud he was of all on the team! I talked to him on the phone a few years ago when I was putting together our 50th Class Reunion book. He was most gracious telling of his pride in his family and how he had been blessed. All of us who knew him were truly blessed - helping to be prepared for life, serving with honesty and integrity. Thank you Coach Roth! You will never be forgotten.Bob SheetsLake Placid, FL"