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Leonard Washington Roach Jr.
Posted 5/11/07
Leonard Washington Roach Jr., 75 Leonard Washington Roach Jr. of Dover was born July 3, 1931, and died peacefully in his home Monday, May 7, 2007, at the age of 75. He was the seventh and youngest …
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Leonard Washington Roach Jr.
Posted
Leonard Washington Roach Jr., 75
Leonard Washington Roach Jr. of Dover was born July 3, 1931, and died peacefully in his home Monday, May 7, 2007, at the age of 75.
He was the seventh and youngest child born to Leonard and Susan (Guy) Roach. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, including three brothers, Thomas Roach, Walter Roach and George Roach; one sister, Sara Hall; and one son, Jeffrey Lynn Roach.
Leonard received his education at Booker T. Washington School in Dover. Shortly after leaving school, he was employed at the Diamond State Storage Co. While working for the company, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1951, where he served most of his military career in Korea fighting in the war. Leonard's artillery unit received numerous awards and medals.
On March 21, 1952, he married Caroline Virginia Mitchell of Dover. During their union, seven children were born. After his honorable discharge from the Army in August 1953, Leonard was employed by the Nehi Bottling Co., where he worked over 16 years. Seeking a better job opportunity in order to take care of his growing family, he left the bottling company to work at Kraft General Foods until his retirement in 1992.
Leonard was a very humble man and while generally quiet, had a great sense of humor. He loved westerns, "Hee Haw" and B.B. King. He will always be remembered for his for giving spirit. He also had a unique way of giving the weather report. If his knees ached that meant it was going to rain, and it was true. Leonard was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He was a loving brother, father, grandfather and uncle. He enjoyed cooking for his family. His specialties were fried shark, fried potatoes and his traditional New Year's Eve black eyed peas. People often called the house asking him to run errands. He rarely complained. Until his health limited his activities, Leonard faithfully cared for his sister Carrie, sister-in-law Cathleen and the spouses of his deceased brothers and sisters.
Leonard was lovingly called by many names, Daddy, Pop, Pop Pop, Unk, Lenny and Uncle Jivey. Some of his happiest moments included family gatherings when all of his boys were home together, giving his daughters away when they married, when Pop Pop was "learning his children or grandchildren something" like "always make sure your kitchen, bathroom and living room are clean" and visiting with his beloved brother Emerson and his wife, Pearl, along with all of the Roach children.
He is survived by mother of his children, Caroline (Roach) Stanley of Dover; four sons, Leonard Roach of Florida, George Roach of Dover, Parker Roach of Springfield, Va., and Joseph Roach of Leesburg, Va.; two daughters, Connie Guy of Dover and Thomina McIntyre of Dover; five daughters-in-law, Sharon, Lynne, Daphne, Carol and Quanda; two sons-in-law, Bruce and Dewitt; 28 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one brother, Emerson Roach; one sister, Carrie Roach; two sisters-in-law, Pearl Roach and Margaret Roach; a very dear friend, Mabel Ridgway; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Fulton and Queen streets, Dover, where friends may view two hours prior. Burial will be in Sharon Hills Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
Leonard Washington Roach Jr. of Dover was born July 3, 1931, and died peacefully in his home Monday, May 7, 2007, at the age of 75.
He was the seventh and youngest child born to Leonard and Susan (Guy) Roach. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, including three brothers, Thomas Roach, Walter Roach and George Roach; one sister, Sara Hall; and one son, Jeffrey Lynn Roach.
Leonard received his education at Booker T. Washington School in Dover. Shortly after leaving school, he was employed at the Diamond State Storage Co. While working for the company, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1951, where he served most of his military career in Korea fighting in the war. Leonard's artillery unit received numerous awards and medals.
On March 21, 1952, he married Caroline Virginia Mitchell of Dover. During their union, seven children were born. After his honorable discharge from the Army in August 1953, Leonard was employed by the Nehi Bottling Co., where he worked over 16 years. Seeking a better job opportunity in order to take care of his growing family, he left the bottling company to work at Kraft General Foods until his retirement in 1992.
Leonard was a very humble man and while generally quiet, had a great sense of humor. He loved westerns, "Hee Haw" and B.B. King. He will always be remembered for his for giving spirit. He also had a unique way of giving the weather report. If his knees ached that meant it was going to rain, and it was true. Leonard was an avid hunter and fisherman.
He was a loving brother, father, grandfather and uncle. He enjoyed cooking for his family. His specialties were fried shark, fried potatoes and his traditional New Year's Eve black eyed peas. People often called the house asking him to run errands. He rarely complained. Until his health limited his activities, Leonard faithfully cared for his sister Carrie, sister-in-law Cathleen and the spouses of his deceased brothers and sisters.
Leonard was lovingly called by many names, Daddy, Pop, Pop Pop, Unk, Lenny and Uncle Jivey. Some of his happiest moments included family gatherings when all of his boys were home together, giving his daughters away when they married, when Pop Pop was "learning his children or grandchildren something" like "always make sure your kitchen, bathroom and living room are clean" and visiting with his beloved brother Emerson and his wife, Pearl, along with all of the Roach children.
He is survived by mother of his children, Caroline (Roach) Stanley of Dover; four sons, Leonard Roach of Florida, George Roach of Dover, Parker Roach of Springfield, Va., and Joseph Roach of Leesburg, Va.; two daughters, Connie Guy of Dover and Thomina McIntyre of Dover; five daughters-in-law, Sharon, Lynne, Daphne, Carol and Quanda; two sons-in-law, Bruce and Dewitt; 28 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one brother, Emerson Roach; one sister, Carrie Roach; two sisters-in-law, Pearl Roach and Margaret Roach; a very dear friend, Mabel Ridgway; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday in Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Fulton and Queen streets, Dover, where friends may view two hours prior. Burial will be in Sharon Hills Cemetery.
Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Dover.
