Mr. Roach was born Nov. 27, 1919 in Waukomis, Okla. to Charlie and Lillian Stearn Roach. Later he moved to Bentonville, Ark. where he attended school. In 1941 he served in the Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater during WW II at New Guinea, Port Morsby at Nabab, Philippine Islands, Lingan Gulf, and Clark Field. He was shot down three times, and while aboard the U.S.S. Liberty he was attacked by Kamikaze Japanese pilots.
After his discharge in 1945 he married Travista (Jerri) King on Sept. 22, 1945 in Wellington, Kan. Mr. Roach lived in Enid until 1968, moving to Ponca City and worked for Clean Clothes Rental. Upon his retirement in 1982 he moved to Enid in 1983.
He was a member of the VFW and served as a gate attendant for the Corps of Engineers at Texoma and Kaw Lakes.
Mr. Roach is survived by his wife, Travista of the home; three daughters, Mrs. Denny (Shirley) Lane of Claremore, Okla., Mrs. Curt (Donna) Courtright of Lewisville, Texas, and Ms. Kennie Nelson Roach of Enid; eight grandchildren, Cynthia and Jeffrey Lane, Michael, Cory, Toby, and Dustin Nelson, and Jennifer and C. Ryan Courtright; two great-grandchildren, Keegan Courtright and Tyler Nelson; six brothers, Clinton Roach of Cherokee Village, Ark., Harold Roach of Victorville, Ca., J.N. Roach of Charles Town, West Virginia, Jackie Dean Roach of Moncks Corner, S. Carolina, Melvin Dale Roach of Ingram, Texas, Bob Roach of Broken Arrow, Okla.; two sisters, Ethyl Jarolim of Carthage, Mo. and Mary Ann Threet of Bentonville, Ark. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother.
Kenneth loved camping, boating in his spare time. He was a hard working father and husband. He was a loving husband and father. He loved and adored his grandchildren, and when his great grandchildren were born, he and they shared a special bond.
Kenneth lived in Enid, Garfield Co., OK 1945 to 1968, in Ponca City, Kay, OK from 1968 until about 1990 and back to Enid, Ok until his death.
