Jay Roth

March 19, 1938 - August 22, 2013
Jay Roth passed away peacefully on August 22, 2013 at the age of 75 after a courageous seven-year cancer battle. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. All who knew him loved and respected him. Jay was born in Gary, Indiana on March 19, 1938. He attended Hamilton High School, lettered in football and track, and graduated in 1956 as the president of his senior class. Soon thereafter he enlisted in the United States Army, then went on to the University of Southern California, graduating in 1960 from Michigan State University. Jay was a successful sales and marketing executive in the toy industry through the 60's, 70's and 80's, eventually starting his own toy company, JRL, in 1986. He went on to be a pioneer of the early merchandising & licensing industry in the mid- to late 80s, all the way mentoring and inspiring his colleagues.
Jay is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Donna Roth. Jay is also survived by his brother Leonard Roth and step-brother, John Nemet; by his son, David Roth, and his wife, Lauren; by his daughter, Dana Roth; by his step-children Russell Binder, his wife Andrea, and Joni Binder Shwarts and her husband, Robert Shwarts; and by his six beloved grandchildren.
Family and friends will gather Sunday, August 25 at 1p.m. at Hillside Cemetery located at 6001 W. Centinela Avenue, Los Angeles. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that mourners make a donation to the Keck School of Medicine of USC, keck.usc.edu. Share a memory at facebook.com/jay.roth.969