Kelly Patrick Roche

Kelly passed away, January 7, 2021 peacefully and surrounded in spirit and love by his family and many friends. Kelly was born in Mineral Wells, Texas to Patrick and Irene Roche. Kelly grew up in Arlington, Texas and graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1974, after which, he then graduated from University of Texas Arlington in 1978.

Kelly loved to love people. He was the type of person who would jump in and help with anything that anyone needed, and he knew exactly what you needed, even if you didn’t. If you asked him for a favor his answer was always, “Will do.” He loved caring for people, from grabbing forgotten last minute items for a party, to making Starbucks runs, and helping his work family get their days started. He just was the person you could always count on. If you needed a house sitter, pet sitter, baby sitter, shopper or chauffeur, Kelly was always the first to volunteer. If you did ask him to be your chauffeur, it might be the last time you ever rode with him. He had a knack for speed, brake checks and fender benders. We all loved him in spite of his driving disabilities. All of Kelly’s sitting duties earned him the nickname “MeMaw” and his beloved “nightgowns” only helped to cement that nickname.

Kelly was thoughtful, wickedly funny, always treated everyone like gold, had a genuine kindness that went on for miles, feisty, sarcastic, spunky and sassy. He was hilarious (mainly inappropriate humor) as you never knew what would come out of his mouth, however, his jokes, wise cracks, inappropriate comments and name calling are what made life with Kelly so fun. If he has ever called you a heifer, then you know he loved you more than his luggage. He made time for all, because everyone needed a Kelly in their lives.

Due to his amazing people skills and giving nature, Kelly ended up in the hospitality industry where he quickly gathered a huge network of clients, suppliers and co-workers that quickly, and sometimes immediately, became part of his life known as family and friends. Kelly loved the hospitality industry and it loved him back. In 2005, Kelly joined the Irving Convention and Visitor Bureau/Visit Irving, where he worked for the remainder of his career. Kelly was awarded the Visit Irving Sales Manager of the Year multiple times, including this last year. He served on multiple boards such as the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP), where he received various awards. He served on the board of Dallas/Fort Worth Humane Society, where he adopted his two cats, Gigi and Tobin. Time and time again the term “Industry Icon” has been appropriately thrown around to describe Kelly. He was an icon to many and for many different reasons.

Kelly chose to live the best life, every day. He was adventurous, from Skydiving with his 78-year-old mother to zip lining in Las Vegas on every visit. He never passed up a roller coaster. In his younger years, Kelly loved to water ski. His brother, Kim, has always said that there has never been anyone who could ski as beautifully as Kelly, nor was there a more patient swimming instructor or a more graceful diver. Most recently, his adventures led to flying the trapeze at the Dallas Circus Center. This summer, he did not hesitate to slide the 2-story water slide for his grandnephews and grandnieces’ back to school party.

Kelly was a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan. He would often entertain clients in suites during home games, where he always made sure to let his family and friends know what was on the buffet menu and what they were missing out on. He often wore his suede Dallas Cowboys jacket and had a customized Dallas Cowboy license plate.

Kelly loved and adored his mother. They spoke every day and enjoyed going to movies, plays and watching their British TV programs together. He helped her to navigate the world of senior living and cared for her until her passing last January.

In May, he gathered with his work family, to chalk the sidewalks of the Irving Convention Center in honor of a struggling industry, due to the global pandemic, during National Travel & Tourism Week. Kelly worked for two days until he perfected what he wanted to say… “We’ll Meet Again.” Yes, Kelly, we will.

There was nothing more important in this world than his love for his family and the times they spent together. During the early part of the pandemic, we were unable to hold family gatherings, but finally, after the lockdowns had been lifted, we were able to celebrate together, in person: a family birthday. We will always remember when Kelly arrived with tears in his eyes and shouted “I have missed my family so much. I’m so glad to be here!”

Kelly will be sorely missed and is survived by his brother, Kim Roche and wife Joyce; sister Keri Gentile; nieces and nephews, Jennifer Dybvig and husband Chris; Kris Roche and wife Kristin; Amanda Williams and husband Brandon; Gabriel Gentile and wife Sonya; grandnephews and grandnieces, Cole Loomer, Riley Roche, Makayla Dybvig, Reed Roche, Tinley Dybvig, Brylan Williams, Reagan Roche and Wyatt Williams; his very dear friends, Larry Cook, Clint Billings, Jan Davis, Bea Davis and Andrew and Nancy Nunan; Kelly is preceded in death by his parents Patrick and Irene Roche.

In lieu of flowers, Kelly would have preferred donations in his honor directed to UT Southwestern Medical Center to support the NICU:

P.O. Box 910888 Dallas, TX 75391-0888

or at: engage.utsouthwestern.edu

We all know there has never been a baby Kelly didn’t scoop up and love on the second he laid eyes on them. Kelly was due to retire in 2022 and he planned to volunteer at his local hospital’s NICU.

Due to COVID19 restrictions, the memorial service for Kelly will be private. The family does invite you to attend the virtual memorial service by visiting www.MooreBowenRoad.com on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM.

A life well lived. Until we meet again, you will live on in our hearts and memories.