Kelsie Odell Roach

Funeral services for Kelsie Odell Roach, 98, of Lufkin will be held Friday, May 1, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. in the Henderson Chapel of First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Robert C. Shield officiating. A private interment will follow in the Garden of Memories Memorial Park.

Kelsie passed on Saturday, April 25, 2026, to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born on December 3, 1927 outside of Sulphur Springs, Texas to Cordia and Edward Carl Roach as the youngest of their four children. They later made their home in Jasper, Texas. After graduating high school, Kelsie attended Texas A&M, where he earned a degree in Industrial Engineering.

Kelsie met Evelyn Goodwin of York, Maine, who happened to be visiting her brother in Jasper, Texas. They were introduced through a mutual friend and began a relationship that led to a 69-year marriage, beginning on October 14, 1950, in Edgewood, Maryland. Their attraction was immediate, and all agreed they made a beautiful couple.

Early in their marriage, Kelsie served in the Army during the Korean War. His career in engineering led him to positions in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Houston. He later accepted a position with Temple Industries and, in 1964, moved his growing family - including Merrick and Jonathan - to Diboll. There, he designed and supervised the construction of several sawmills and log processing centers, including the main lumber manufacturing facilities in Diboll and Pineland. He rose to Vice President and Manager of Temple Associates and later founded and grew his own successful engineering firm in Lufkin.

In his early years as a father of two sons, Kelsie devoted himself to Little League coaching and Boy Scouts. Baseball was an early passion, and he especially enjoyed developing pitchers. Scouting came naturally, drawing on his experience as an Eagle Scout in the Sea Scouts program in Jasper. Camping became a favorite family pastime, taking them across North America. In the mid-1970s, Kelsie bought his first sailboat and taught himself to sail. He created a love for sailing in his family. His interest progressed to yacht racing and club championships on lake Sam Rayburn.

With his boys off to college and careers, Kelsie rediscovered his former passions. As a published cartoonist, he returned to sketching and expanded into watercolor and oil painting, later exploring wood carving and bowl turning. When he was not in his workshop, he found golf to be an enjoyable although humbling social outlet. During this time, he and Evelyn traveled extensively with friends and family across North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Their many RV trips always included their beloved cat, Billy Bob. Of all the places they visited, Italy held a special place in Kelsie’s heart, cherished for its joyful people and exceptional food.

In his later years, Kelsie devoted himself to service and family. A longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Lufkin, Texas, he was active in Bible study and later in Stephen Ministries, reflecting his deep heart for serving others. He treasured time with his sons, daughters-in-law, and especially his four grandchildren. Caring for Evelyn during her long illness became his primary mission, and his faithful devotion in that role was an inspiration to many.

Survivors include his sons and daughters-in-law, Merrick and Diana Roche, Jonathan and Melanie Roach of The Woodlands; grandchildren, Zachary and Jennifer Roche of Houston, Claire Roche of Houston, Millicent Roach of Houston, and Grayson Roach of Chicago; niece, Carla Jane Stringer of Longview; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Kelsie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Evelyn Roach; brothers, J.B. Roach and Carl Roach, Jr.; and sister, Lovetta Jordan.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Huggins and John Wood.

The family would like to express sincere gratitude for the love, care, nursing and companionship that Kelsie experienced from the staff at Pinecrest, The Joseph House and from Hospice in the Pines.

In lieu of customary remembrance the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be made in his honor to The Joseph House, P.O. Box 150554, Lufkin, Texas 75915, Alzheimer’s Association, 6055 S Loop E, Houston, Texas 77087, or the American Red Cross, 3901 IH 10 East, Orange, Texas 77630.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.