Roger Ellis Roach passed at home on September 4, 2020 with his wife, Lucia Poole, one of his sons, Travis Roach, and his loving dogs present. The soundtrack to the musical Jersey Boys was playing and a trip down memory lane was being taken.

Many knew Roger as a Calvert County educator at Calvert High School, Northern High School and Calvert Middle School, having moved from North Carolina to Maryland to teach math and then become vice-principal extraordinaire. His career spanned 44 years. His skill was empowering teachers to do their best in the classroom. His most rewarding moments were helping young people reach their potential by listening to them with the utmost respect. Since retirement, many have reached out to express their sincere thanks.

Roger was a homebody, yet when prompted by his wife, he left LaPlata to travel to Italy, France, London, New Orleans, and Nashville many times over the years. He enjoyed a good meal with an ice-cold Rolling Rock, going to musicals, hanging out at bars for the live music—he had a deep appreciation for performances of different genres which started by playing the trombone in a jazz band in high school.

He is predeceased by his parents, Ellis Henry and Margaret Davis Roach.

He is survived by family in North Carolina, Rosalind Allen, Marilyn (and Monnie) Ellis, Rita Latham (and Bobby Branning), and Barry Roach (and Julia Lathan).

His Maryland family consists of wife Lucia Poole, son Joel Roach, daughter Shannon (and Bobby) Gibbons, son Travis Roach and grandchildren Summer, Abby, Natalie, Lily, Lacy, Skyler, Nathan, Leilani, Emory and Ellis. And, of course, his dogs, Davis, Nola and Nash.

His extended family consisted of an eclectic group of loving, kind, fun individuals that he spent many meals, parties, and gatherings with laughing and solving the world's problems. He offered his intelligence and witty insights to all.

He lived in a spirit of gratitude and in which he believed, "How can I lose when I've already won?" May we all aspire to this way of thinking in order to honor his legacy.

In lieu of flowers please make any donations to:

First United Methodist Church, 512 North Main Street, High Point, NC 27260