Eugene Herbert Roach, Sr.
September 10, 1925 ~ February 14, 2007
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Eugene "Gene" Herbert Roach, Sr. of Asheville went home to be with his Lord on Wednesday, February 14, 2007.
Mr. Roach was born in Axton, Virginia to the late Annette and Franklin Roach and was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters.
He was a United States Navy Veteran, serving in W.W. II. He was very active with Alcoholics Anonymous and the local prison ministry, which he had been a part of up until his death. He was a faithful member of Cumberland Avenue Baptist Church where he had many friends.
Mr. Roach was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He never met a stranger and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He spent most of his working years in Asheville at Citizen’s Hardware on Merrimon Avenue.
He is survived by his loving wife Eula Roach; a daughter, Rebecca Ballard and her husband Gary; a son, Eugene “Gene” Roach, Jr.; four grandchildren, Tracy Polasky and her husband, Scott, Brian Ballard, John Roach and his wife, Stacie and Adam Roach and one great grandchild, Logan Polasky.
Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian conducted by the Rev. Earl Jones. Interment will follow at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory.
His family will receive friends from 10 until 11 am, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Activity Department at the Brian Center, 78 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC 28787.
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WHERE DO I START. HE WAS SO WONDERFUL TO ME AND MY WHLOE FAMILY. HE WAS APART OF MY LIFE THAT I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FILL.HE WAS LIKE A SECOND FATHER TO ME. HE AND DADDY WOULD ALWAYS COMPETE TO SEE WHO WOULD START MOWING THE FIRST OF SPRING. WE ARE GOING TO MISS HIM.HE NEVER MEET A STRANGER.HE TOUCHED EVERYONE THAT HE WAS AROUND.WHEN I WOULD CALL HIM HE ALWAYS ASKED ABOUT EVERBODY AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE WAS DOING GREAT. WHAT A GREAT MAN. I WILL MISS YOU.
A heart of gold,A very good christian man, Loving his neighbor like himself, Wonderful friend, Always there to lend an ear, take time out just to let you know you were special to him, Telling you how much he loved and missed you if he had not seen you in awhile. Making you feel like the most important person in the world.This only begins to describe our friend (Gene).
You are already missed,Until we meet again. Good bye our friend.
So sorry for the loss of your Dad. He was always a pleasant and kind man. A good friend to my Dad whom I lost in 1994. Know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Becky,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. He must have been a great Dad since I’m sure you reflect so much of him. I know this is a tough time but you have a strong faith and I’m sure you will get through it. I pray that you do. I miss you terribly and please take care and tell Tracy I’m sorry and I miss her too.
Love,
Christy
Sorry to hear about the passing of Eugene. He was a great person and was nice to have known him. He was an excelent neighbor and friend.
I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Eugene. I always looked foward to getting a chance to go over there and sit and visit with him and Eula as a young child. He was like the grandfather I never had. I wish I would have gotten the chance to visit more after moving out the the neighborhood. I remember going on walks with him. I miss playing in the yard with Brian and everyone and hearing him laugh at us for being silly. My love and prayers goes out to everyone.
Becky and Gary,
I am so sorry to here of the passing of Gene. He was a very good man, always having that great since of humor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you,knowing your pain, since we just buried Dad on his 84th birthday Feb 14.We can have peace of mind knowing they are in a much better place.Keep us in your prayers, as you will be in ours. Mike and Judy Ledford
Becky
Please accept my condolences for the loss of your father. May God’s grace be with you and your family during this difficult time. I will keep you in my prayers.
Love
Marcia
EULA,I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF GENE PASSING.WE SOON WILL SEE HIM AND HE IS ONLY RESTINGG NOW WITH JESUS.HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND I ALWAYS REMEMEBERED THE TIMES WHEN I FIRST WENT TO CUMBLERLAND.MAY GOD BE WITH YOU ALWAYS.
GENE WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU.WE COULD ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU BEING THERE FOR US.YOUR CALLS MENT SO MUCH TO US.WHEN WE WERE NEIGHBORS ALL I HAD TO DO IS LOOK OUT THE WINDOW AND SEE YOU.THAT MADE MY DAY COMPLET.WE WILL BE TOGETHER AGAIN. AM SORRY EULA,BECKY AND GENE JR.GOD BLESS
Dear Becky and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad. Sounds like he was a wonderful, kind, loving Father, Grandfather and Friend. In time all these wonderful memories will bring you get comfort and peace. May God be with you and comfort you during your time of grief. I will keep you in my prayers.
Love, Martha Maney
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Becky and family. We love you.
To family and friends – My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time.. I remember every time my husband went to the Optician, he was called Gene Roach. Blessings and peace,, Betty Nelon Rhodes, former members of Cumberland Ave. Baptist Church
I was a good friend of Gene. He will be sorely missed. Becky, I was your old teacher at Ira B Jones. Hope I can be at the service, but I don’t know. Sincerely, Pearce Weaver
Becky, Gary, Tracy & Brian,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We know that you can have peace just knowing that he is in heaven rejoicing with Jesus and others who have gone on before him.
Becky you are a special person to us and just know that we are here for you if you need us. Love you all.
Jim & Claudette
Becky and family:
I am so sorry about your father’s death. I may not be able to get to the services. My friend Hugh has just had leg surgery, and I’m trying to help him out.
If I can do anything at all please let me know.
I love you.
Euralee Rogers
Dear Becky, Gary, Tracy and Brian,
I know the sadness that you all are feeling right now. Without a doubt, Mr. Roach was a great Dad, hard working man, full of love and life. I always heard all of you speak so highly of him. Please know that you all are in my prayers. Much love to you all, I miss you!
Sharon McPeters Owens & Sam
Eula,Becky,Gene Jr.,& extended family members:
We wish to extend our sympathy to all of you and know you are in our prayers. We have lots of memories of your family from Cumberland Ave.
You know Mack & Mae Burgin welcomed Gene Home.
We Love you
In Christ’s Love & Prayers
Lavinia Weaver
Dennis Weaver
Rick Weaver
We send your family our thoughts and prayers. Blessings to all of you. Eloise (Borchgrevink ) Farias and sons, Valdy and Erik
I was sorry to hear of Gene’s death. He was a wonderful person and such a great friend to Talmadge. I know they have already met each other in Heaven and are catching up on things. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but I have had some surgery and can’t drive yet. I am praying for you during these days and I know that prayer and God’s grace will get you through the days that follow. Love to you all. Pat Roberts {Mrs. Talmadge}
Dear Rebecca, Eula, and Family,
The beauty of Gene shines through you with the kindness, love, and friendship you share with everyone you meet. God Bless You all during this very sad time.
Always,
Toni & Ronnie
Becky and Family,
I am so sorry to hear about your father. I too know your pain as I lost mine also. But I know they are in heaven with Jesus and faith will get you through. I didn’t know him or your mom but tell your mom it will be hard but faith will help her get through this as I have lost my husband and know that pain also. Faith in God is the answer. I love you and miss you also. Tell Tracy I am sorry and you all will be in my prayers. love, Rhonda Dula
Was so sorry to hear about Gene. I would see him quite often at the nursing home and the service station We would visit for a little while. He was such a wonderful person and will be missed.
Our deepest and most sincere sympathy, Becky, to you and your family…Leslie & John Wooten…
To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under Heaven…
Becky, I am so sorry about your Daddy. I bet he was a wonderful man.
You are in my thoughts. You are such a wonderful person just like your Father was. I know you will misss him so much.
Love,
Trudy Waycaster
Mr. Roach was a kind and charitable man who had a deep history in Asheville. I was fortunate enough to be an extended member of his family by marriage. His devoted daughter, Becky, exemplifies his generosity with her caring and loving heart.