Joseph Patrick Roth

God gave Joseph Patrick Roth the gift of life on January 3, 1950, in Ridgway, PA. He was the middle of seven children born to Raymond Robert Roth and Zoe Evelyn Fay. God claimed Joseph as His own precious child through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Leos Catholic Church in Ridgway, PA. God called Joseph to be in his immediate presence on Saturday, December 14, 2013.

Joseph’s childhood was spent in Ridgway, PA, and Baldwin, NY, where he graduated from Baldwin Senior High School in 1968. Joseph began serving his country on Oct 30, 1968, after being drafted. He served in the US Army in Frankfurt Germany as Specialist E5 staff photographer. He was honorably discharged after completing his service.

Joseph worked in commercial photo labs in New York until moving to Houston in 1977 where he continued to work in the photo industry opening his own service company in 1999. After the digital age boomed he closed the business and began working contract labor for different companies.

Joseph met Esther Frederking and married his soul mate in Wichita, KS, on April 20, 1996. Joseph was the proud father of Nicholas and Taylor Roth.

Joseph enjoyed photography, salt water fishing, playing cards and dice games, cooking and baking, BBQ, and spending time with family and friends. Joseph never met a stranger and used that gift as a volunteer at The Heritage Society in downtown Houston.

As a member of Gethsemane Lutheran Church Joseph served as an Elder, unofficial Sunday morning greeter, Bible study teacher, member of the church council and Church President. Joseph also served on the Development Council at Lutheran Outdoor Ministries of Texas, Camp Lone Star.

Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Zoe Roth and infant sister Robin Ann.

Joseph is survived by his loving wife Esther; son Nicholas Roth (Jennifer; grandsons Asher and Jonas); daughter Taylor Roth (grandson Noah); Nic and Taylor’s mother Lynn Lange; sister Sara (Lew) Herman; brothers Carl (Sharon); Raymond Jr (Cathy); Matthew (June); Luke; mother and father-in-law Marian and Walter Frederking; sisters-in-law Becky Voelzke; Ruth Terry; brother-in-law David (Kim) Frederking; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec 19, 2013, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Pat H Foley & Company. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday Dec 20, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Gethsemane Lutheran Church followed by internment at Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of floral tributes the family requests memorial donations be made in honor of Joseph to LOMT, Camp Lone Star, PO Box 457, La Grange, TX 78945.