With heavy hearts, we share the passing of John "Jack" Roth, 85,.
Here is what mattered, in the years between the dates.
John entered this world in 1931 — the start of a journey that would span 85 years.
John held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
Honor is not a word lightly given. John earned it.
John "Jack" Roth, 85 of Parker died Monday, February 22, 2016 at Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls. Funeral mass will be at 10:30am Saturday, February 27, 2016 at St. Christina's Catholic Church, Parker. Arrangements by Hofmeister Jones Funeral Home. John Albert Roth was born on February 14, 1931 at Winner, SD to John and Pearl (King) Roth. He moved with his mother and grandmother to Hot Springs, SD and graduated from Provo High School at Igloo, SD in 1950. He served in the US Army during the Korean War as a ski trooper and demolitions expert, having been stationed in Alaska. On December 13, 1950 he was married to Kathleen Coyle at Igloo. After graduating from Chadron State Teachers College in Chadron, NE he coached and taught at Edgemont, SD and Belle Fourche, SD. While at Edgemont he coached the track team to a state championship, having been the first west river team in either division to win state. He also coached the Belle Fourche football team to an undefeated season. He moved to Parker, SD in 1965 where he was an insurance agent with State Farm Insurance for 33 years, retiring in 1996. On January 22, 1988 he was united in marriage to Debby Novak at Parker, SD. He was a lifetime member of the Parker VFW Post 2821, past State Teener Baseball Commissioner, past Justice of the Peace, past clerk of the Parker school board, past board member of the Dakota Cooperative Telephone, served as mayor of Parker, and a coach to many. Grateful for having shared his life are his wife Debby; 4 children, Linda Baldwin, Rapid City, Sharon E. Roth, Dallas, TX, Michael (Patti) Roth, Swan Lake, and Mark (Amy) Roth, Wright, WY; a daughter in law, LaVetta Roth, Parker; step children Michelle (Sue) Novak, Pipestone, MN and Christopher (Kari) Novak, Viborg; 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; a brother Daryle Roth, Indianapolis, IN; and a half brother James Roth, Commerce City, CO. He was preceded in death by his parents and step father, a son Larry, a brother Neil Roth, and a granddaughter, Jennifer.
