Mansel Roach Obituary (1916

Texhoma, Oklahoma - Mansel Roach, longtime Texhoma resident, passed away late Monday, November 28, 2011 at the Coldwater Manor, Stratford, Texas. Mansel Roach was born February 28, 1916 in Springfield, Colorado, the firstborn to Mae (Campbell) and Charles L. Roach. His mother, Mae Roach, passed away when he was just six years old, and his father, Charlie later married Ellen Stevens. Mansel graduated from Texhoma High School in 1934. Prior to his military service he worked for the Civil Conservation Corp. and helped build the Bandelier National Monument Los Alamos , New Mexico. A World War II Veteran, Mansel enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1942, serving in the 420th Base Unit and was honorably discharged in 1946. On January 6, 1944, during a military leave, he married his sweetheart and neighboring farm girl, Freddie B. Burrows. When they returned to Texhoma after the War, he said he was home and never wanted to leave again. Mr. Roach worked for many years as the Texhoma Schools janitor, worked at the Texhoma Livestock Commission and was the campus foreman at Panhandle State University, Goodwell, OK. He was a friend and mentor to many. He shared his love for hunting, trap shooting and playing dominoes with his friends and neighbors. Known as silver dollar man, he has always shared silver coins with children spanning several generations in some families. Though his walk here came to a close, his walk through Heaven began on 11/28/2011. His wife of 57 years, Freddie Roach, passed away September 11, 2001. Mansel most recent community was Coldwater Manor in Stratford where he made many new friends and received excellent care which we are grateful for. He is preceded in death by his biological mother, Mae Roach; his parents, Ellen and Charles L. Roach; wife, Freddie Burrows Roach; his daughter, Zelda Roach Pickens; a sister and brother-in-law,Hope Roach Strasner and Stuart Strasner; brother and sister-in-law, Sam and Bessie Roach; brother Charles Roach; sister and brother-in-law, Freda and Oscar Osteen; Army buddy, Walter Robinson; and many, many friends. He is survived by a daughter, Winnie Roach Burrow of Nashville, TN; son-in-law, Ronnie Pickens of Stratford, TX; grandchildren, Doug Pickens of Stratford, TX ; Steven Pickens and wife, Carmen of Whitesboro, TX ; and Holland Burrow Roswell and husband, Kevin Roswell of Nashville, TN ; eight great grandchildren, Landon, Tyler, Britten, Kelsie and Grady Pickens, Darrick and Caleb Mata and Tessa Roswell. He is also survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Ginger Roach, Don and Laquita Roach, Dee and Dean Erwin, as well as many special nieces and nephews. Viewing will be Wednesday noon to 8:00 PM at the Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, 501 NW Fifth, Guymon. The family will lay Mansel to rest at the Texhoma Cemetery. Memorial services will follow with "Tributes, Stories & Memories" shared by family and friends at 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 1st at the Texhoma United Methodist Church. All are invited to celebrate and share a story. Family friend, Curly Cook, and nephew, Rev. Steve Roach, will be officiating. Following the memorial service, there will be dessert and coffee in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be given to the Texhoma Cemetery and the funds will be used to add a row of trees at the back of the cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Texhoma Cemetery, c/o Byron Smith, P.O. Box 651, Texhoma, OK 73949.