Donald James Roth

June 17, 1947 – September 26, 2026

Donald James Roth, 79, of Menifee, California, passed away on September 26, 2026, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of creativity, laughter, friendship, and love.

Born on June 17, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan, Don was the son of Robert Roth and Camille Valleriani. He spent his early years in Detroit before moving with his family to Southern California. He graduated from Tustin High School in 1964. Throughout his youth, Don developed a deep admiration for his father, an accomplished automobile designer whose creativity helped inspire Don’s own artistic journey.

In March 1966, Don entered the United States Navy, where he served as a draftsman aboard the USS Isle Royale (AD-29). He achieved the rank of Draftsman Third Class and was honorably released from active duty in December 1969.

Don’s artistic and technical abilities led him into a distinguished career as a professional illustrator. His early work included serving as an illustrator for the City of Orange, California. He later pursued a career in the aerospace industry, including work with Boeing and McDonnell Douglas. His career included contributions to projects involving Air Force One and aircraft for the Saudi royal family. The precision and attention to detail required in his professional work would later become hallmarks of his fine art.

One of the most important chapters of Don’s life began in an unlikely place—a courtroom. During a six-week jury assignment, he met Kathleen Underwood-Roth. The two began enjoying lunches together, and what started as an unexpected friendship blossomed into love. Just six months later, on August 11, 1990, they were married.

For 36 years, Don and Kathy shared a life filled with companionship, laughter, music, movies, and a love of live entertainment. Whether enjoying a movie together or attending a performance, they treasured the experiences they shared and the life they built together.

Following his career in aerospace, Don devoted his later years to his lifelong passion for painting and teaching. For more than a decade, he welcomed students into his Menifee home, offering group classes and individual instruction. Through his knowledge, encouragement, and artistic talents, Don helped others discover and develop their own creativity.

Don possessed a wonderful sense of humor, and few things made him laugh more than cats. While living in Huntington Beach, he painted a whimsical portrait of their cat Leo driving a classic wood-paneled station wagon, affectionately known as a “Woody.” The painting delighted people who saw it, prompting Kathy to suggest creating an entire collection of humorous cat paintings.

Don initially thought Kathy’s idea was crazy, but he embraced her suggestion. The result was his beloved Kool-Kat Kollection, a series of exactly 50 paintings that he deliberately completed as a collection. Filled with imagination, humor, and personality, the paintings became a distinctive expression of Don’s artistic spirit and his desire to make others smile.

His talents extended well beyond his whimsical cats. Don created portraits, automobile paintings, religious works, and beautiful depictions of beloved pets. In his final years, he remained remarkably prolific, producing painting after painting and continuing to share his artistic gifts with others.

Perhaps some of the most meaningful examples of Don’s talent were the personal gifts he created for people he loved. In 2022, following the heartbreaking loss of a close friend’s son, Don quietly painted the young man’s portrait. Without being asked, he arrived one day and surprised the grieving parents with the finished painting. It was a gesture of extraordinary thoughtfulness and compassion, demonstrating Don’s ability to express through art what words alone sometimes cannot.

Don is survived by his beloved wife of 36 years, Kathleen Underwood-Roth; his daughter, Marie Roth; his granddaughter, Alannah Angel; and his surviving siblings, Robert Doede, Jolee Fisher-Karshens, and Ginny Roth.

He also shared close and meaningful relationships with his extended family, including his brothers-in-law, Mike and Steve Underwood, and their families. His nieces, Tiffiny Adams and Lindsey Halvorson held special places in his life, as did Tiffiny’s son, Mathew Underwood, who followed in Don’s footsteps by serving in the United States Navy. Don had the opportunity to see Mathew complete his military service, a meaningful connection between the two.

Don will be remembered for his humor, creativity, generosity, and the many lives he touched through his friendship, artwork, and teaching. His paintings remain lasting reminders of a man who found joy in creating and sharing that joy with others.

Don’s artistic legacy lives on. His extensive collection of artwork, including his beloved Kool-Kat Kollection, can be viewed at:

https://don-roth.pixels.com/

Memorial Service

A celebration of Don’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at Miller-Jones Mortuary in Menifee, California.

The service will include military funeral honors in recognition of his honorable service in the United States Navy.

In Lieu of Flowers

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to Act 2 Rescue, an animal rescue organization, in Don’s memory.

Donations may be made at:

https://act2rescue.com/donations/