Denny Jay Roach

On Monday, October 28th2024, Denny Jay Roach of Carbon, TX peacefully passed after a short illness. He was surrounded by his adoring family who found it a privilege to walk him to the end of the road. There are no words that can describe the void that is left from his passing, but his family is confident that they will see him again in heaven. Denny was born October 18, 1946, in Snyder, Texas to Thad and Ima Ruth Roach. He attended and graduated from Odessa High School in 1965 in Odessa, TX. Growing up he spent a few summers on the Slator ranch where he made lifelong friends and learned that honest, hard work was the only way to get what you wanted in life. He attended Odessa College for 2 years then began a career with Shell Oil Company. In 1967 he married his high school sweetheart, Deborah Kaye Byrd, and they were blessed with 57 years of marriage. Together they had 4 children, Jay, Carrie, Kelley and Jennifer, 13 grandchildren and 1 great granddaughter, all of whom he was immensely proud of. Many Texas towns were home to Denny and his family in the early years including Odessa, Andrews, Seminole, Ozona, Midland, Denver City, and Houston but eventually Denny and his family settled back in Midland, Texas. Denny was an encourager and instilled great work ethic in his kids and grandkids. He taught his family many life lessons and shared his wisdom often. He had great attention to detail and wanted his kids to know that anything worth doing was worth doing right the first time. With the purest of intentions, he believed “pressure creates diamonds,” and his children are all thankful for his high expectations! Denny was a huge supporter of them through the many sports and activities they participated in, and he was fiercely protective. He attended his kid’s sports and school events religiously and they always knew he would show up for them. He continued the same passion as he watched his grandchildren participate in sports and cheered them on.They all were very aware that he would go to the ends of the earth for them if they were in the “right.” He led his life with integrity and surrounded himself with lifelong friends who exhibited the same. He was a very generous man and quietly gave of himself, his time, and his resources to anyone that needed it. It is that influence of compassion and generosity that has been passed on to his kids and grandkids in their chosen professions including 6 nurses, a doctor and an educator at the time of his passing. It was their greatest privilege to care for him when needed and he trusted them implicitly. It was during some of those times that his relationships deepened with his grandchildren who provided company during hospital stays, delivered care, or helped with keeping the farm running when he could not. Not only did Denny have special relationships with his children and grandchildren but he had a witty sense of humor, often dubbing them a nickname that he lovingly referred to in place of their given names. To have received a nickname from him truly was a term of endearment. Known to only those he really wanted to see and despite a hard exterior, he was also a very tender-hearted, forgiving man. His tenderness was poured out freely to his family, friends, and his dearest animal companions that gave him so much joy and unconditional love. We know that his beloved animals that passed before him met him with wagging tails to welcome him home.

Denny found fulfillment in life from his many passions. He has been known to say that west Texas was “God’s country,” it provided the best sunsets, and it is where hunting for arrowheads found him most at peace where he was able to privately worship God’s glory. He was a dependable husband and father, always making provisions for his family’s many needs and was one-in-a-million in providing their wants. He would never accept praise, always saying, “you don’t have to thank me” as he found extraordinary joy in making his family happy. He always wanted to be a rancher and, after his retirement from Shell Oil after 35 years of service, he was able to fulfill that lifelong dream on his farm in Carbon TX where he raised cattle and horses and provided a gathering place for his extended family. He was an avid collector, was a wealth of knowledge and always up for a good history discussion. 

Denny is preceded in death by his parents, Thad and Ima Ruth Roach. He is survived by his wife Deborah Roach of Carbon TX, brother Larry Roach and family of Odessa Texas, children Jay Roach and family of Spring TX, Carrie Hopkins and family of Ennis TX, Kelley Rasco and family of Granbury TX, Jennifer Roach and family of Georgetown TX, 13 grandchildren, 1 great granddaughter, his faithful schnauzer, Gracie, and numerous lifelong friends. 

Denny requested that no memorial service be held. A private remembrance will be held by family when his ashes are scattered in his unwavering requested resting place. If you would like to honor Denny, consider donating to an animal shelter, animal rescue or Samaritan's Purse.