Thomas James Roche

Thomas James “Tom” Roche passed away peacefully on April 21, 2024 at the age of 93. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tom was the son of Thomas James Roche, Jr. and Barbara Neubert Roche who later remarried to become Barbara Caire. His older sister was Shirley Abadie also now deceased.

Tom grew up in New Orleans and joined the US Navy after high school. He served from 1948 to 1952 on the destroyer USS Winslow and the carrier USS Coral Sea with three tours in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

After his military career, he returned to New Orleans to attend Tulane University. There he met the love of his life, Joan Martin Roche. They were married on May 12, 1956. Tom started his working life with Shell Oil Company in New Orleans and enjoyed a successful 32-year career. Tom was a devoted father who loved sports and coaching his three sons in baseball, basketball or whatever they tried. During his family’s early teenage years, Tom had visions of becoming a rancher and starting the 5-R Ranch. However, this shifted in later years to boats and a love of sailing.

Tom is survived by his loving family: son David Roche of Sugar Land, Tx, son Ken Roche and wife Sheryl Roche of Sugar Land, Tx, son Don Roche and wife Cherie Roche of Sugar Land, Tx; grandchildren, Michelle Klovans (Scott), Marissa Mc Donald (Zach), Eryn Roche/Robinson (Cody), Lauren Roche, Trey Roche and five great-grandchildren.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Monday, April 29 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the chapel at Earthman Southwest Funeral Home, 12555 South Kirkwood Road in Stafford, with the Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 6:30 p.m.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, April 30 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd. in Sugar Land.

Immediately following, all are invited to share memories of Tom during a reception to be held in the nearby Parish Hall at St. Laurence Catholic Church.

The Rite of Committal will follow the reception at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery, 12800 Westheimer Road in Houston, where Navy Honors will be rendered.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/stafford-tx/thomas-roche-11780110/add-memory.