Kenneth Merle Roach

Reverend Kenneth Merle Roach passed away Saturday, July 11, 2020 in Maggie Valley, NC; a city he visited during college and always dreamed of returning someday. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, February 7, 1941 he was a son to William Merle Roach and Etheleen Wilkes Roach.

After graduating high school in Jacksonville, FL he embarked on a memorable 18-month assignment on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean where he was an electronics technician with Western Electric and Bell Labs working on the Army’s Nike Zeus and Nike X anti-ballistic missile research and development project.

He later graduated from the University of North Florida in Criminology and was in law enforcement in Jacksonville Beach, FL for 15 years. It was during this time he was called to the Episcopal priesthood and attended seminary at the University of the South in Sewanee, TN where he graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1989.

Father Ken served as an Episcopal priest for 18 years including at San Jose (Jacksonville, FL), St. Paul’s (Quincy, FL), St. Luke’s (Jacksonville, FL), St. Francis (Tallahassee, FL), and St. Joe (Bundoran, Ireland). He was also a Hospice Chaplain for Gadsden County, FL and College Chaplin for Jacksonville University and the University of North Florida. He was a proud member of the Academy of Parish Clergy, the Order of the Holy Cross and served as a Trustee for the University of the South.

During retirement Ken returned to Maggie Valley, NC where he enjoyed photography, writing and woodcarving.

Ken is survived by two children, Cathi Russell of Vermillion, SD and Andy Roach (Janet) of Tallahassee, FL, along with four grandchildren Hana Russell, Fielding Russell, Phoebe Roach, William Roach, and his sister Beverly Roessner of Columbus, GA.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Camp Weed Endowment Fund, c/o Episcopal Diocese of Florida, 325 Market Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32202. A message of comfort may be made to the family at www.garrettfuneralsandcremations.com.