Jere Edward Roe

Jere, a native of Tennessee, was born on December 29, 1929 to the late Vance and Eleanor Roe. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his only brother, Tom Roe. He is survived by his Daughter Blaire Roe Hanson and her husband Jeff, his daughter Ashley Roe Stevens and her husband Mark, his son Brandon Stephens Roe and his wife Janie, along with grandchildren, Nicole, Anne Scott, Liza and Vance.

Jere was born in Humboldt, TN. His family moved to Paris, TN and graduated from E.W. Grove High School in 1948. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin and continued his education at Duke University where he earned his D.D.S. as an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. He practiced oral surgery until 1986 when he retired from private practice. He continued to practice oral surgery part-time at NC Central Prison in Raleigh until 2007.

Jere served in several branches of the military through his lifetime. He committed most of his military career as to the NC U.S. Army Reserves serving as Colonel of the 205th Medical Detachment in Durham, NC. He also served as the Liaison Officer between the 205th and DENTAC at Fort Bragg, NC, as well as Fort Sam Houston, TX. Jere received commendations for his executive skills, personal motivation and positive leadership as well as his recruiting of medical professionals.

Spending time with his children was very special to Jere. He enjoyed taking them to the NC Maritime Museum and Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort, Fort Fisher Aquarium, NC Battleship in Wilmington, and vacations to Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach in the summer.

In his later years, he spent most of his time enjoying the peace of his waterfront townhome in Rocky Point on the NE Cape Fear river. He explored the Cape Fear on his boat and fished until he was in his late 70’s.

He was an avid reader and enjoyed studying historic coastal North Carolina Civil War sites. He grew up loving the water and nature conservation. He had an annual subscription to the NC Wildlife Magazine for almost 50 years. He loved debating politics and current events and had strong opinions about both. He sang in the church choir and a barbershop quartet. He enjoyed painting, Duke basketball and fly fishing. He was a loyal friend and always looked forward to meeting his friends at Sola for coffee and a muffin at his weekly Men’s Breakfast.

Whenever he was told, “It’s good to see you”, he would respond with “It’s good to be seen”. If you asked him how he was doing, he would answer with “I am better than I deserve.”

Jere lived a long life devoted to his children and grandchildren, a deep Christian faith, exceptional values, and an unwavering strength to endure and overcome life’s difficulties, with a dose of corny humor that could make anyone laugh. He spent his last days with his children by his side.

A private Military Funeral Honors and Committal Service will take place at Sandhills Veterans Cemetery where Jere will be laid to rest.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be donated to St. Jude’s Hospital at www.stjude.org and dedicated in memory of Jere Roe.

Fond memories and expressions of condolences can be shared online at www.apexfuneral.net for the Roe Family.