James H. " Jim" Roach, 93, longtime Guymon resident and educator, passed away Wednesday afternoon, October 18, 2017 at the Heritage Community Manor.

The third of five children, he was born to Thurmond and Sue (Vinsant) Roach on July 19, 1924 in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Jim left school after the 11th grade. He was drafted into the US Navy and served on the USS Ault until the end of WWII. He got his GED and enrolled at Panhandle A&M, earning a degree in Speech Communication. He taught in Hooker, Oklahoma for one year before being hired to teach speech and coach debate at Guymon High School. He taught for many years, ending his career in Guymon as a counselor and then high school principal in 1964. In 1965, Jim became professor of speech and communication at Panhandle State University, teaching speech classes and coaching debate. At his retirement in 1987, he was also Chairman of the Division of Liberal Arts. He was known as the voice of Panhandle Aggie Football, having called football games throughout his tenure at the university.

Jim was passionate about teaching! He also loved to fish, to hunt, and to golf, golfing even in his 80's at Panhandle State's golf course and Guymon's Sunset Hills golf course. Jim was known as "Salty" by some, a nickname he earned as the schoolboy who was unbeatable in the game of marbles. He was "Oklahoma Jim" also, radio announcer for several years at Guymon's KGYN. His favorite names, however, were probably "Daddy' and "Grandad."

Jim was preceded in death by the love of his life, wife Peggy (Camp) Roach, oldest daughter Jodi (Roach) Liese, parents, and two sisters and two brothers.

He is survived by two daughters, Jacque (Mrs. Larry) Donovan and Jeanette (Mrs. Ray) Roberts, and son-in-law, Doug Liese. He leaves behind 10 grandchildren: Daniel Liese, Rachel (Liese) Garrison, James Roberts, Paul Roberts, Andi (Donovan) Hull, Jonathan Liese, and Liz Liese, 12 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews including Shirley Vierra, Peggy Payne, Katherine Green, Alvie Roach and Carla Herman.

Funeral services for family and close friends will be Saturday afternoon, October 21st at 2:00 p.m. at the Bunch – Roberts Funeral Home with Pastor David Moore and Dr. Ted Duck officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Goodwell Cemetery.

Friends may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.bunchroberts.com.