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James S "Jim" Roth Sep 13, 1929 - Aug 14, 2025
Posted by Sharon Adams
James “Jim” S. Roth, 95, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Jim was born
in Clearwater, KS, on September 13, 1929, to Earl and Inez (Fivecoat) Roth.
Jim,
his older brother, Earl, Jr., and their parents lived in Galva, KS, where Jim’s
father worked in the oil fields. After graduating from Galva High School in
1947, Jim worked as an auto mechanic before enlisting in the Army. Jim served in
the 439th Engineering Battalion (the reserve unit) during the Korean War, which
focused on building bridges and roads for US troops. Jim married Lois Clark on
August 4, 1950, at her family farm in McPherson, KS. He returned from Korea in
1952, and the couple had their first son, Martin, in 1953. Jim used the GI bill
to attend Kansas State University, graduating with a mechanical engineering
degree in 1956.
Following his college graduation, Jim and Lois moved to Ponca City, OK, where
Jim started his first job with Conoco Oil, and where they had their second son,
Kendall. In May 1960, Jim and the family moved to Perry, OK, for a new job
opportunity with a small, growing company named The Charles Machine Works, Inc.,
becoming the 50th person hired. Their young family continued to expand with the
addition of three daughters, Lori, Jayme, and Marla. Jim stayed at Ditch Witch
his entire professional life, serving as Vice President until his retirement in
1992. During his time at Ditch Witch, Jim embodied a servant leadership
approach, feeling fierce loyalty, care, and responsibility in mentoring and
supporting employees, specifically those in “the shop,” of whom he was very
proud. In addition to his leadership at Ditch Witch, Jim also felt strongly about his
civic responsibility for the community of Perry, spearheading the initiative to
bring the YMCA to Perry and also serving on the Board at First Bank & Trust for
many years. Jim married Iva (Bartow) Burk on March 31,1990. They remained
married until his death. From an early age, Jim was always someone who enjoyed
“tinkering.” A natural fit for his degree in engineering, he took great honor in
building the family home on Wakefield and 15th St in Perry, as well as endless
creative projects built “the Roth way” for his family and friends. He loved
traveling, whether internationally for work or on a motorcycle across the
country with family and friends. Traveling also allowed Jim to fulfill another
passion - visiting as many diners as possible. Jim had an uncanny ability to
connect with people, helped by his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Jim
had immense pride in his family and could always be counted on to show up when
it mattered most, whether to solve a problem, teach a life lesson, create a
lasting memory, or tell a funny story to lighten the mood. He loved his role as
“Poppa Jim” and was always interested to talk about the latest adventures of his
grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jim is survived by five children: Martin (Ranay) Roth of Perry, OK; Kendall
(Beth) Roth of Columbia, SC; Lori (Ron) Moore of Pittsburgh, PA; Jayme (Michael)
Koch of Perry, OK; and Marla (Greg) Wehrer of Tuttle, OK; and one step-daughter,
Shelli Burk of Stillwater, OK. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, four
step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Inez Roth; one brother, Earl
Roth, Jr., and one great-grandchild, J Leuenberger. A service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the pavilion at
Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, OK.
Visitation will be on Thursday, August 21,
2025, with the family present from 6:00-8:00 pm at Trout Funeral Home.
The
family wishes to thank the nurses, and medical personnel at Perry Green Valley
Nursing Home and Companion Healthcare Hospice for their excellent care and
support. We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or
perhaps share a memory of Jim at www.troutperry.com. Arrangements are under the
direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.
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