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Douglas Roach Obituary
Doug was born in Oakland, CA, to the late Emlin and Helen Roach. He graduated from Irvington High School in Fremont and then attended San Jose State University where he received a B.A. in Industrial Arts and a Secondary Teaching Credential. Doug taught Industrial Arts at Leigh High School in San Jose and later, with a business partner, established a collision repair business. Teaching was a big part of Doug's life and he taught for I-CAR from 1983 to 2018. I-CAR describes him as "one of I-CAR's most productive, long-term, and successful educators."
Doug attended Crossroads Bible Church for 25 years, where he loved teaching the Bible and also served as an Elder.
Doug had a U.S. Merchant Marine License and sailed in San Francisco Bay. Many guests joined him and experienced the thrill of sailing. Sailing was always a family activity because Doug was a family man.
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend will be deeply missed by so many; wife of 47 years Debra; daughter Deanna Roach; daughter Danielle (Mike) McIntosh; son David Roach; daughter Inna (George) Olifer; son Pasha Roach; daughter Liza (Robert) Alderete; and son Arthur Roach; 13 grandchildren; sister Marilyn (Jim) Carlson; Cindy (John) Monroe and many special friends and precious church family.
2 Timothy 4:7-8: I have fought the good fight. I have finished
the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me
the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous
Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also
to all who have loved his appearing.
A Memorial will be held on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 1:00 pm at Crossroads Bible Church, 1670 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA 95128.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to
https://www.partnersintl.org/harvestofhope or
https://www.thelordsfavour.org/en/Benjamins-childrens-ministry
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jim Jung
November 9, 2024
He was my auto shop teacher, he really was helpful he always encouraged me. And he had the greatest sense of humor. I didn´t know he was a man of God, but now I can truly understand why he was so nice and so loving and so giving.
Deanna Roach
September 23, 2024
I have no words to describe how lonely the world is without my Dad. I was his first born daughter. He was the best man I have ever met and probably ever will. He was the cornerstone of the family. I miss you Dad so much I can hardly stand it! I love you!
Kat hutchinson
August 20, 2024
He remains a true inspiration for me. He was a true, living example of the love, leadership and work ethics that he spoke of. Doug.... thank you for being you. Kathy Hutchinson ( neighbor at the shop and Leigh Longhorn)
Andy McCue
August 13, 2024
Offering my sincerest condolences to Mr. Roach´s family. Mr. Roach was my high school teacher at Leigh High in San Jose, CA - circa late 1970´s. We all have those teachers that made a positive impact on us - I had three of those teachers and Mr. Roach was one of them. He didn´t offer much facial expressions or emotions during class so he was hard to read but when he worked with you 1:1, he was kind, understanding, and a brilliant mechanical and human engineer.
I still think about my days in Auto Shop and the way he taught us and I use many of the principles I learned on my cars - past and present. We had a private conversation once about the path I was on and he convinced me to make a change - I shudder to think where I would be today if it weren´t for his counsel, kindness, and understanding.
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Mark Mespelt
August 8, 2024
Doug was my I-CAR instructor when I was with Allstate Insurance, that is where I met him. Later I found out he went to Cross Roads church and he knew my house mates that went there also. I loved hearing the story of God giving them four added kids to the family, you could see the "boy I need great Faith now" look in his face. And stories of his son sailing on the Bay.
Robert Zingsheim
August 6, 2024
As my wrestling coach, he had us do many different exercises as you would expect, on my first day in practice, I remember and will never forget the leg raises that we had to hold for what seemed like an eternity. Coach Roach definitely ripped us all into shape.
Inna Olifer
August 1, 2024
Daddy, your are so missed... Milana(my child who is 6 today) said* mama, when is Nana and Papa are gonna come visit!? I said* Hunny, you know Papa is gone*
She said, * I know, it's just wierd saying Nana without Papa, they are always together, they been together for so long ...it makes me sad....im so glad we will see him in Heaven one day.*
It broke my heart.... Daddy, this world will never be the same for the ones that love you. Thank you for taking leap of faith and giving 4 Russian orphans an opportunity to be loved by you, to gain just a small amount of your wisdom and to see the love and respect you had for the Lord.
Until we see you again....
Rob Anthony
July 31, 2024
I met Doug and Debbie when Doug was leading the college/careers group at Crossroads Bible Church in San Jose. They were both a great source of wisdom for us as we learned how to be adults.
Doug had a wonderful dry sense of humour and the whole Roach Family was a pleasure to be around. In fact they became a second family to me. I spent more time with them than I did with my own biological family for quite some time. Just hanging out at the house on Bel Escou, gaming with the kids, making lunches, watching movies, and sailing.
Yes, lots of sailing trips in the SF Bay. From the Dana slip in the Oakland Estuary over to Sausalito or Tiberon usually.
Doug once fixed the damage I incurred in a fender bender on my old 69 Chevelle. He offered to let me work it off by scraping the side of his sailboat. I think I picked one of the hottest days of the summer and realized that I should´ve just paid the man!
I love this family so much and I regret not staying closer with them after they left SJ. I know he´s with his lord and savior and that we will see him again, but I grieve with his family at his absence here on earth.
I love you Roach fam!!!
Stephen Cornwell
July 29, 2024
Doug and Debbie 20 years ago were friendly and loving toward friends, other couples to encourage us in are faith and talk about some of their struggles, while my wife and I were younger we booth shared our faith at Cross roads in San Jose. I remember they invited us twice to go sailing with them,it was so fun,relaxing and even let my wife steer their sailboat, Loriann ,my wife was so thrilled. It was a great out on the bay.
TK STANFORD
July 29, 2024
My heart is so grieved at losing Doug! I often, looked forward to the day when I would be able to sit down and spend more time with Doug! I cannot believe that He is gone! Doug had a great sense of humor and also a wonderful teacher per I-CAR. He was a wonderful story teller and comical in his statements! He was the voice of reason at my Dad's auto body shop. Stanford Auto Body Shop on Monterey Road. Many of you have had your cars repaired there. I know that Doug was a wonderful Father, Grand father, Husband and friend. We will miss him, but rejoice that He is now with Jesus!
Bob Mancini
July 28, 2024
We were so sorry to hear of Doug's passing. He was always so full of life and funny and a spiritual leader. Our family has so many fond memories of living life with the Roach family - from church, Heritage Home, sailing on SF Bay, homeschooling, and our love of trains. We are praying that the Lord would comfort your hearts with many great memories of Doug.
Bob & Barbara Mancini
Kelly Vazquez
July 28, 2024
Doug demonstrated consistent love and faithfulness toward his family. It was evident in so many ways-like the adoration in the eyes of his grandchildren.
Danielle Roach-McIntosh
July 27, 2024
My father was an amazing person. He was faithful, kind, dependable, loving in his own way. He was funny in a British way and he was always there for me. I'm so shocked he's gone from this side of earth. I am so thankful I have an eternity with him. Still, I miss him so very much. He was the best dad a daughter could have asked for. I'm so thankful to God for giving me Doug Roach to be my daddy.
Stephanie McIntosh
July 27, 2024
I´m Stephanie, the mother of Doug´s son-in-law, Michael. And I´ve been a widow for some time now. I´ll never forget when I needed a new car and Doug stepped in to help me. I knew nothing about buying cars. My husband Rob had always purchased our cars. It was so awesome to have an expert lead me into the dealership that day to do all the wheelin´ and dealin´. Thank you Lord for being my provider through Douglas Roach. Funny detail; as we were walking in Doug said in that unique voice of his, "Now when we go inside, I´ll do all the talking. You just listen." I asked what to do if I had a question. He reiterated, "Just listen." Of course there were choices I had to make and Doug asked my preferences. It was a great learning experience. Thanks be to God, for all the Doug´s in the world. If only there were more like him.
Debra Roach
July 27, 2024
Your family misses you so much!
Michelle Stanford
July 25, 2024
I can remember Tk and I spending the night with Doug and Debbie. If I got up during the late evening, I would often find Doug sitting up quietly by himself listening to Bible teaching cassettes. That sweet image has always stayed in my memory .
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