James "Jim" Leonard Roach

James “Jim” Leonard Roach Arden ~ James “Jim” Leonard Roach, 83, passed away Saturday, December 9, 2017 at the Elizabeth House hospice in Flat Rock. Mr. Roach was born in Butler, Pennsylvania to the late Arthur Jennings Roach and Elizabeth Frazier Roach. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ben Roach and a sister, Charlotte Wiles. Jim graduated from Penn State University with a degree in geography. He retired after 24 years of service a Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Marine Corps and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the Marine Corps Rifle and Pistol Team winning numerous medals in competition. He worked for Buncombe County from 1981 to 1994 retiring as Finance Director/Assistant County Manager and served as a Deacon of New Hope Presbyterian Church in the early 90’s. He was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville and a former member of the Skyland Lions Club and a Mason. Jim is survived by his wife of 50 years, Merritt Ware Roach; a daughter, Elizabeth Roach, her husband, Jeff Eaton, and their son Colin Eaton of Arden; two stepdaughters, Trudy Farkas, her spouse, Dr. Shamina Henkel of Atlanta, GA and Lorraine Farkas of Atlanta, GA; a brother, Colin Roach of Enon, OH. A Memorial Service will be held at Ardenwoods Retirement Community on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at 2:00 PM with Rev Dr. Mark Stanley and Rev. Jack Presseau officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 15, 2017 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church, 900 Blythe Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family