Lowell Thomas Roach

Lowell Thomas (Tom) Roach took his last breath on earth and then joined his Lord and Savior in heaven on September 8, 2021 at 90 years of age.  Tom was born in Campbell, Minnesota on May 9, 1931 to the parents of Harry August Roach and Mildred Lila (Mellon) Roach.  Tom was the oldest of five children and always said that he was an only child for 15 minutes before his twin sister, Shirley Yvonne, entered the world.  The two of them were followed over the years by three younger siblings: Harmid Lee (Mutt), Harriet Alice (Punk), and Timothy Glen.
After graduating from Campbell High School, Tom and a friend set out for the west coast working odd jobs and having fun.  He was then drafted into the Army and was sent to Korea to fight in the Korean War as a combat veteran.  There he earned the nickname of Skosh, which means little.  He ended his military stint with the rank of Corporal soon after the war was over.
After spending some time with his family in Texas, Tom began working a pipeline in Oklahoma where he met the love of his life and soon to be wife, Beverly Lazell Hale.  They courted for a short time before deciding to get married and drove to Texas to do it since they didn’t have to wait the required 3 days like they would have had to in Oklahoma.  They found a Justice of the Peace in Wichita Falls late one night and woke him up at his residence to marry them.  They spent a brief amount of time in a small travel trailer in Aztec, New Mexico before moving to Corpus Christi, Texas in 1959.  One year after saying their vows, they had their first born son, Michael Anthony.  Within a few years, they had added two more sons, Lowell Dean and Cary Dan, to their family.  They were so proud of these three little boys!  It wasn’t until 9 ½ years later that their little girl, Lori Michelle, joined her big brothers and completed the Roach family.  From those four children grew a large family of in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who all thought the world of Tom.
Sometime in the mid 60s, Tom started his career path at Coastal States Refinery and ended up staying there for about 30 years.  He worked in the pumping department as a pumper and then later as a supervisor before retiring in 1994.  Tom and Beverly moved up to the lake in Lagarto, Texas where they stayed for 25 years.  While there, they became long-time members of Lagarto Community Church where they strengthened their love for Jesus and met some of the best friends they had ever had.
Tom was a friend to so many people, and it wasn’t uncommon for him to run into people he knew no matter where he was, including random places in other states while on vacation.  He loved sports and was often found sitting in his recliner watching them on TV, especially the Dallas Cowboys and any horse racing or golf tournaments that he could find.  He loved listening to bluegrass and gospel music and would often tell his same couple of corny jokes that would make us all laugh because of how ridiculous they were.  Tom was known for having little sayings that he would often throw into conversation that eventually became known as “Tomisms”.  Any time somebody asked him a question that required a number response, his answer was always “75 or 30”.  Tom was loved by many people through many walks of life who will miss his sweet spirit and kind ways.
Tom is survived by his wife, Beverly Lazell (Hale) Roach; his daughter-in-law, Anna Estella Roach; his children, Lowell Dean Roach (Amanda), Cary Dan Roach (Carie Ann), and Lori Michelle Leal (Gabriel); his siblings, Tim Roach (Chris) and Harriet Laws (Randy); his grandchildren, Michael Roach, Kristen Arnold (Robert), Randi Maresh (Charlie), Chelsi Roach, and Cody Roach; 10 great grandchildren; 3 sisters-in-law and their husbands, and many nieces and nephews.  Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Mildred Roach; his twin sister, Shirl Milner; his brother, Harmid Roach; and his precious son, Mike Roach.
Please join us in celebrating Tom’s life at the services under the care of Sawyer-George Funeral Home, 12497 Leopard St, Corpus Christi, TX 78410.
https://www.sawyergeorgefuneralhome.com/
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association or the American Cancer Society.
https://www.alz.org/
https://donate3.cancer.org/