Harold Dennis Roe

      “Anything is possible.” That is what Harold Dennis Roe believed about life. He was a creative man, a perpetual inventor, who seemed to be able to find a solution for any difficulty confronting him. He had faith in his ability to find those solutions. Harold thoroughly enjoyed understanding how things worked. He possessed an inquisitive, confident, and rational nature matched with a versatile and agile mind. Harold was a person who believed that he could achieve whatever he set out to do.

       His parents were Dorise & Millie. Harold was raised in Monroe, MI. He showed his ingenuity even as a child. When he was confronted with a problem, Harold could develop an imaginative solution, and he derived satisfaction from knowing he had that ability.

      This same talent for finding solutions had a positive bearing on Harold's family relationships. Harold was raised with 7. Roland, Bettie, Mary Edith, Frank, Hazel, Arthur & Joe. When a difficult situation or dilemma arose within the family, Harold was always there to help figure out a solution for making things work.

      Endowed with an appetite for knowing how his world worked, Harold enjoyed school, especially when the learning experience involved dissecting and probing the unknown. Harold was adept at scrutinizing different possibilities and designing innovative solutions. He graduated from Monroe High in 1951. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.

      Because he was a quick thinker and adept at picking up on new things, Harold performed well in college. He was always on a quest for knowledge and he relished the experience. Theories intrigued him, and he was good at solving complex problems. He always wanted to understand rather than judge. Business & Management degrees. Photography.

       Harold was adept at devising original and creative ways to enhance and improve the marriage partnership. Harold was seldom a critical person, but rather the one who was able to bring out the best in others. Harold was an entertaining conversationalist who was quick to respond to his spouse’s needs. He was a vibrant personality and he enjoyed Grace. He was very perceptive in recognizing others’ feelings, especially regarding Grace's.

      Harold's remarkable talent for being inventive influenced his relationship with his children. Harold was blessed with 5, Denise, Ramona, Steven, Vance & Marcia. They were also blessed with 14, Alicia, Aimee, Jennifer, Melody, Nicole, Vanessa, Jessica, Josh, Crystal, Matt, Christina, Ashley, Tommy, Faith,. Someone who was quick to laugh, Harold found it easy to spend lots of time with his children, but he was never overbearing or guilty of pushing himself on them.

      As a born inventor, Harold was definitely in his element in his work place. He could easily create new and innovative systems, and incorporate those changes to bring a fresh approach to any work situation. Harold was a focused worker with a strong drive for achievement. He could assess all of the options before him and, using his analytical skills, could comfortably find answers that no one else had even considered. His personal initiative inspired those around him. Harold was always good at getting a project started and then, see it thru. His primary occupation was a radio tech. He was in the Marine's for 23 years. Harold always made an effort to be a team player, doing what needed was necessary in order to get the job done.

      Harold's “never say die” attitude and his ability to face any challenge no matter how difficult it might be were tremendous assets that Harold carried with him into the military. Harold is a Marine. Coast to coast & border to border, Japan & Viet Nam. Harold saw action in Korea & Viet Nam. Through his hard work and dedication, he earned not only the respect of his fellow service men and women, but also was presented with various awards. He achieved the rank of Master Sgt.

      Harold's passion for finding a better way to do things was often an end in itself for him. In fact, that interest by itself became something of a hobby for this perpetual problem solver. His favorite pursuits were ballroom dancing & family.

      Harold was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list was wrestling. He would also watch baseball & football.

      Having the opportunity to visit and explore a new place always intrigued Harold. Traveling and going away on vacations offered yet another opportunity for Harold to expand his ever-growing inventory of knowledge. Favorite vacations included China, vacations with brother Joe, touring with a Chinese tour, seeing family on the East coast & Whistler, Canada.

      Harold was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Harold's favorites was Shadow. His family was rounded out by his Tweeters, Fritz, Slinky, Chip & his pet "Peeve".

      Even while in retirement, Harold never stopped exercising his inventive talents, and this new phase of his life provided new opportunities for stimulating his interests. In 1978 his new life involved relocating to Vancouver. In retirement, he went ballroom dancing. Even in retirement, Harold continued to stay in touch with his old friends and while making plenty of new acquaintances.

      Harold passed away on June 30, 2014 at 10:50am at the VA Hospital Nursing Home Vancouver, WA. Harold stayed strong against Parkinson's, Dementia & Diabetes for as long as possible. He is survived by his kids Denise, Ramona, Vance, Marcia & his grand/great/great-great Grandkids. Services were held at Vancouver Funeral Home. Harold was laid to rest in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

      During his lifetime, nothing appeared impossible to Harold. He met the words “it can’t be done” with the enthusiastic challenge of a “wanna bet” attitude. Harold was able to recognize the possibilities a new idea held, even when those around him could not. For Harold, the traditional way of doing things fell short of his expectations, especially if there were original and untested methods for handling a challenge. For Harold Dennis Roe, the fun of living his life could be found in the challenge.

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Harold Dennis Roe passed away Monday, June 30 at the age of 80.

Harold joined the Marine Corp in 1952, serving in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, being awarded many medals and ribbons. He was honorably discharged in 1975.

Harold met his bride to be, Grace, while roller-skating. She was the only girl there that he didn’t know so he had to meet her. They married in 1953 and had five children.

Harold enjoyed ballroom dancing, photography, making home movies and could never pass up a garage sale. He was also a world traveler to places such as China, Canada, Mexico, and all over the United States, as he would say… "Coast to coast and border to border."

Harold will always be known to his family as a great dad and listener. He was all about his family and was also quite a big flirt.

Harold is survived by his children, Denise (Harold) Sams, Ramona Roe, Vance (Patricia) Roe and Marcia (David) Shannon; 15 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren with two more on the way and one great great grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, of 43 years; his son Steven in 2012 and by all of his siblings, making him the last of seven children.

Visitation will be held, Sunday, July 6 at Vancouver Funeral Chapel, 110 E 12th St., Vancouver, WA 98660 from 10am until 4pm.

Funeral services will be Monday, July 7, 11:00am, also at Vancouver Funeral Chapel with a graveside service immediately following at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver, WA.

Arrangements entrusted to Vancouver Funeral Chapel.