Terry Gene Roth

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Terry Gene Roth. He was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to him because he was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around him had whatever they needed. Terry was a talkative person who was tactful at all times but typically said what he meant.

      Terry was born on August 21, 1942 at Wayne Hospital in Greenville, Ohio. He was the son of Lawrence and Loretta Roth. Terry was raised in Greenville, Ohio. During his childhood he learned to be reliable and respectful. Terry was an obedient child who wanted to win the favor of others. He found it easy to show sympathy and to perform kind acts for others. These admirable qualities would become a part of Terry's personality throughout his life.

      Though Terry was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with his family, he was also quite often the family member who took the role of referee. Terry was a peace-maker with an ability to resolve all sorts of family conflicts. In fact, Terry worked conscientiously to keep those typical family spats at bay. Terry was raised with four siblings. He had sisters Linda, Pat, Sue and Jody. Terry and his siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up, but they cared deeply for one another.

      As someone who reveled in the sheer joy of his experiences, Terry was always enthusiastic about new adventures. Although he had an exacting nature, Terry was always tactful. One thing Terry will certainly be remembered for is that, when he got up in the mornings, he was ready and raring to go. As a young boy, Terry had a number of interests and was an active child. Terry took part in baseball. He was a Boy Scout. In his spare time he liked to fish, swim and camp out.

      For Terry, the school routines were never a problem although he generally preferred variety to structure. He seemed to be able to start a project and work right through to its completion. And he was able to do it quickly and efficiently. Terry was also adept at details. Terry was very observant and was generally quick at picking up new things. He graduated from Greenville High School in 1961. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was Science.

      There was one thing that all of Terry's friends knew and will still remember, and that is that he was a talker. He could pretty much talk to anybody about anything. This quality is one of the primary reasons that Terry was such a popular person throughout his life. But Terry was also dependable, loyal and trustworthy. Terry was the kind of person who simply radiated good fellowship. While he maintained personal standards and his own personal values, Terry was very accepting of others. With a distinct skill for working things out, Terry was often the person who would organize events. In fact, Terry was fairly comfortable playing the role of “host” for just about any occasion. When Terry made friends, he made true and lasting friendships. While growing up, some of his best friends were Dan Cooper and Jerry Cox. Later in life, he became friends with Steve and Cindy Landis, Bill and Scherrie Grubb, and Bev Colby.

      Terry was a faithful and loving person. Some would even call his sentimental and a romantic at heart. His kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around his. Terry cared for what others thought and carried that into his marriage. On July 27, 1968 Terry married Sherri Dianne Walker at St. John Lutheran Church of Piqua, Ohio. Compassionate and devoted, Terry worked hard to make his new life partner happy and they had a loving and caring 43 years together.

      Harmony was important to Terry and he made every effort to maintain it with his family. Terry was blessed with three children, sons, Terry Neil, Brett Michael and Jamie Ryan, who was deceased in 1994. They were also blessed with eleven grandchildren, Whitney, Chelsea, Alexis, Sierra, Jami, Jaydon, Gabe, Mason, Devon, Alyssa, and Haliegh. Terry was always conscious of the feelings others had. He was reasonable and understanding. As a result, Terry was quick to solve disputes and did so without much fuss. His secret of success in this area was simple: Terry would listen before he would act.

      Taking his work seriously came naturally to Terry, and he expected the same from those around him. Terry was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. He was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in his good communication skills. Terry was a steady worker, one who was realistic about schedules. The kind of details that would give family members and work colleagues fits were situations that Terry handled well. He could understand the details without getting lost in the broad “big picture.” His primary occupation was a Senior Supervisor. He was employed for 36 years by Textron-Cadillac Gage. He brought harmony to his work environment, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done, while always maintaining respect for his colleagues.

      Blessed with a practical nature, Terry was a person who appreciated the routine of the military. He was a man who took his obligations seriously, working well with the others in his unit. Terry was an Army veteran. He was a Senior Launcher Crewman. Terry saw action for Vietnam. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Specialist 4.

      A methodical man, Terry enjoyed spending time working on his various hobbies. He had no problem following all of the steps and instructions on a given project and was proud of the fact that he could have something to show for his efforts. His favorite pursuits were coin collecting, metal detecting and travel.

      Terry was one of those people who took pride in constantly putting forth his best effort. Nowhere was that more visible than in sports. Terry was always enthusiastic and a great team player. Recreational sports included bowling and golf. Terry also liked being a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite teams whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were NFL football and Ohio State football.

     His keen interest in things that affected the lives of other people led Terry to become actively involved in professional and community organizations. Because he was outgoing and worked well with others, Terry did his fair share of volunteer work. And he wouldn't shy away from taking the lead on committees or events, either. He was a born list maker and was great at creating and sticking to schedules. Throughout his later years, Terry was an active member of the Elks Lodge.

      Terry was the kind of person who would readily move into action in order to help others. He was appreciated and respected. He could find value in the opinions of others and was passionate about his own values and beliefs. So it’s little wonder that he was active and highly valued by those in his community, serving on committees for the VFW, Elks Lodge and Eagles. Politically, Terry was a Republican.

     His high moral standards and traditional values served Terry well with his faith. Religion and faith were important to him. He was a member of Ft. Jefferson United Methodist Church. He was well respected because he was such an outgoing individual who sought to help in any manner he could.

      A generous and compassionate man, Terry accomplished much during his lifetime. Though he never set out to gain individual recognition, Terry was recognized and given awards for his many and varied efforts throughout his life. Some of his most prestigious awards included three Dale Carnegie awards.

      Not only did Terry enjoy traveling, but he also seemed to enjoy planning all of those trips and vacations. He was a facilitator who could easily make up a near perfect schedule of all of the things to do and see. He rarely tired of going back and revisiting his favorite places. Favorite vacations included Hawaii cruises, road trips out West and went to Myrtle Beach every year.

      Terry was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of his favorites was a parrot named Johnny, who was a best friend for 10 years.

      Since it was easy for Terry to meet and get to know new people, he quickly made friends, even in retirement. Once he met those new friends, he loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days. Since he was practical and cost effective, Terry was ready when that day to retire finally came in 2001. In retirement, he found new pleasure in taking care of the Wayne Lakes Community Building, fishing and traveling. Even in retirement, Terry stayed in touch with his old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. He was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities that retirement offered him.

      Terry passed away on October 1, 2011 at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Terry had two aneurysms in his aorta operated on in six months but a subdural hematoma took his life. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sherri (Beaver) Roth; his sons and daughters-in-law, Terry Neil and Megan Roth, and Brett Michael and Paula Roth; his grandchildren, Whitney, Chelsea, Alexis, Sierra, Jami, Jaydon, Gabe, Mason, Devon, Alyssa and Haliegh; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Bill Schatz, Sue and Frank Hildebrand, Jody and Jack Smith, and Frederick Jones; mother-in-law, Joy Walker; brothers-in-law, Chuck and Kristy Walker, and Steve Walker. Services were held at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home. Terry was laid to rest in Oak Grove Cemetery in Ft. Jefferson, Ohio.

      Terry was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever he said something, he meant it. Terry was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. He was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. He was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember him for most is the fact that he was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life he touched will miss Terry Gene Roth.

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Terry Gene Roth, age 69 of Greenville, Ohio passed away at 5:25 P.M. Saturday October 1, 2011 at the Miami Valley Hospital Dayton, Ohio. Terry was born August 21, 1942 in Greenville, Ohio and the son of the late Lawrence and Loretta E. (Trick) Roth.

He retired in 2001 from Textron-Cadillac Gage of Greenville where he had been employed for 36 years as a Senior Supervisor. He was also a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the U.S. Army.

Terry was a member of the Fort Jefferson United Methodist Church, for many years had been the caretaker of the Wayne Lakes Community Building, a member of the Greenville Eagles Lodge, Elks Lodge, Life member of the Greenville V.F.W. and was a delivery driver for Dave Knapp Ford of Greenville. Terry was a “Wonderful husband, father, grandfather and brother”.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son Jamie Roth in 1994; Sister Patricia J. “Pat” Jones in 2008 and father in law Charles Dale Walker in 2010.

Terry is survived by his wife Sherri “Beaver” (Walker) Roth of Greenville. They were married July 27, 1968. Also sons and daughters in law Terry Neil & Megan Roth of Greenville and Brett Michael and Paula Roth of Vernal, Utah. Grandchildren Whitney Marie Roth, Chelsea Roth, Alexis Roth, Sierra Roth, Jami Roth, Jaydon Roth, Gabe, Mason, Devon, Alyssa and Haliegh. Sisters and brothers in law Linda and Bill Schatz, Sue and Frank Hildebrand, Jody and Jack Smith and Frederick Jones all of Greenville. Mother in law Joy Walker of Piqua, brothers in law Chuck and wife Kristy Walker of Piqua and Steve Walker of Clearwater, Fla. Also numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday October 7, 2011 in the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home Greenville, Ohio with the Rev. Doug Baker officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery Ft. Jefferson, Ohio. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 5 until 8 P.M. in the funeral home. The Greenville Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Honors.

Condolences for the family may be sent to www.zecharbailey.com.