Nelson Paul "Ninnie" Roth Sr.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, he passed away Saturday, October 5, 2013, at the age of 89. He was a proud, life-long resident of Gonzales and one of only five individuals inducted into the Gonzales Hall of Fame. An U.S. Army Veteran, he served his country from 1944 to 1946 while being stationed in Germany. He served as Town of Gonzales Mayor Pro-Tem 1968 to 1973, then as Mayor of the City of Gonzales from 1973 to 1984. As Mayor he had many achievements including the single largest annexation in the history of Gonzales, which increased its size by 35%. Following that accomplishment, he rezoned the entire city. He implemented the Municipal Employees Retirement System for Gonzales employees. He participated in economic development trips on the West Coast and East Coast. Under his terms as Mayor, he built the 50 acre Gonzales Municipal Park which has served as host to two Dixie Boys World Series Baseball Tournaments and numerous state and regional tournaments. During his term in office he served as a member or a board member on several government related boards including: Louisiana Municipal Association, Louisiana Commerce and Industry Inducement Committee, Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, Capital Region and Planning Commission, National League of Cities, and the Louisiana Municipal Gas Association. Even after his retirement he served as Chairman of the Gonzales Economic Development Team City. After retiring from the City of Gonzales, he went to school and became a real estate agent and was associated with East Bank Realty, where he was a very successful and respected commercial agent and handled many commercial and industrial sales including Tanger Outlet Mall and Lamar Dixon Expo Center. He was also the founding partner and co-owner of the Gonzales Holiday Inn. He was a founding board member and for many years, a board member of United Community Bank (UCB). He and his family also owned and operated Roth's Food Center for many years. In 1990, at the age of 70, he was awarded the Ascension Chamber of Commerce businessman of the year. He was a board member of the Gonzales Rotary Club (Paul Harris Fellow), Audubon Girls Scouts, Ascension Parish Development Family, the Greater Gonzales Chamber of Commerce, and the Ascension Vocational-Technical Institute. Nelson was also a member of the American Legion Post 81 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was a devout Catholic and served St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church and school in many capacities. He was a past Grand Knight and 4th Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus Council 2657. He loved to saltwater fish with Snoop, Ricky, Trey, and friends. Nelson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Ruby Hebert Roth; daughter and son-in-law, Darla Roth Rye and Jamie; sons and daughters-in-law, Nelson "Snoop" Roth Jr. and Frances, Ricky Roth and Laurie; a sister, Rosalie Jones; grandchildren, Brook Gautreau, Morgan Thibodeaux, Nelson "Trey" Roth III, Zachary Roth, Olivia Roth, Emily Rye, Hunter Roth; and great grandchildren, Parker Gautreau, Conner Gautreau, Cohen Thibodeaux, Nate Thibodeaux. He is preceded in death by his father, Orice Roth; mother, Aliba Marie Roth; brothers, Easton Roth Sr., Pherbert Roth, Alza Roth, Joseph Roth, Acklin Roth, Alcide Roth; and sisters, Geneva Webb, Winnie Argrave, Bessie Usey, Agnes Sevier, Maude Boudreaux. There will be a visitation at Ourso Funeral Home in Gonzales, Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, from 5. p.m. until 9. p.m. Visitation will resume Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, at the funeral home from 8:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Following, there will be a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church in Gonzales at 11 a.m. with Rev. Phil Spano, celebrant. Entombment will be in Hope Haven Garden of Memory Cemetery in Gonzales. Pallbearers will be "Trey" Roth, Clint Gautreau, Zachary Roth, Hunter Roth, Jay Roth, Easten Roth Jr., Barry Acy, and Adam Thibodeaux. Honorary pallbearers will be Leonce Millet, Frank Frederic, and Carroll "Butch" Daigle. The family would like to extend a special thanks to his caregivers of recent years, Reba LeBlanc and Tina Braud, for all the love and care they have given to Mr. Roth. Also, a special thanks to Clarity Hospice for their support. The family asks that memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Nelson leaves a great legacy to his family and community and he will be greatly missed. To offer condolences to the family, please visit www.oursofh.com. To sign and view the family guest book, please visit www.legacy.com/weeklycitizen to offer condolences to the family.