Yolo-Sacramento County CA Obituary Project Obituaries.....ROACH , James F April 27 2002 ********************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/obits/ca/obitsca.htm ********************************************************** File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Peggy B. Perazzo pbperazzo@comcast.net September 5, 2004, 7:27 pm "The Davis Enterprise," Wednesday May 1, 2002 James F. Roach Retired Yolo County Superior Court Judge, wounded Marine Corps combat veteran and licensed pilot James Francis Roach died of an Alzheimer's disease-related illness on April 27, 2002, at the University Retirement Community in Davis. A longtime Yolo County resident, he was 79. He was born on Sept. 7, 1922, in Sacramento to Mike Roach, a Signal Oil Co. dealer, and the former Ann Crothers, a school teacher. After graduating from Woodland High School in 1940, he enrolled at Modesto Junior College, where he joined the track team and ran the 100-yard dash in 9.9 seconds. According to his wife, Patricia Bender Roach, the track team called him "twinkle toes." The couple were high school sweethearts, and married in October 1941, shortly before the United States was drawn into World War II. He enrolled in UC Berkeley's Navy wartime V-12 program. He received his degree in political science in October 1943, and was then assigned to the 1st Marine Division and sent to Okinawa. While in Okinawa, he was a first lieutenant and platoon leader in what was described as Last Bloody Battle-Okinawa. Roach was wounded on May 2, 1945, and according to documents provided by his wife, he was rescued by hospital corpsman Robert E. Bush, who was awarded the Medal of Honor by Congress for his bravery. His medical discharge from the service came in time for him to enroll in Stanford University Law School in January 1946. After receiving his law degree, Roach returned to Woodland, where he served as deputy district attorney for Yolo County District Attorney E.L. "Les" Means, who describes him as "an aggressive prosecutor and a fine lawyer." He ran unsuccessfully for district attorney in 1954 against Anthony B. Avilla, and as a result entered private practice with Ervin Vaughan and Clint Murphy. Roach owned several planes after receiving his pilot's license in late 1958. He flew family, clients and friends to Stanford University football games, Disneyland, Mexico and other destinations. He gave up flying after becoming a judge, because he said being a judge did not allow him time for flying. Clarence B. "Buzz" Walden, a retired Municipal Court judge who gave him his first flying instructions in September 1958, remembers him as a good student and pilot. Roach belonged to the Yolo Fliers Club, the state Bar Association, the Woodland Jaycees and E Clampus Vitus, a Gold Rush era historical society. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, Brian C. Roach and his wife Rosemary of Davis; daughters Eileen Roach of Davis and Ann Montgomery and husband Buddy of Los Angeles; brother Michael "Larry" Roach of Rocklin; and granddaughters Frances Morrison and Emily, Maureen and Laura Roach, all of Davis, and Nola Schneider of Saratoga. The family requests that any remembrances be sent to the UC Davis Alzheimer's Disease Center, 150 Muir Road, Martinez, CA 94553, or to Yolo Hospice, 607 Main St., Woodland, CA 95695. A memorial service will begin at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the auditorium of the University Retirement Community, 1515 Shasta Drive, Davis. North Sacramento Funeral is assisting the family with arrangements. Additional Comments: Submitted with the permission of the "The Davis Enterprise," 315 G Street, Davis, CA 95616. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ca/yolo/obits/gob1476roach.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/caobfiles/ File size: 3.9 Kb