Tom Roth was born on September 24, 1914 in Des Moines, Iowa and was the youngest of five siblings, Ina Morgan, Glenn, Cecil and George who preceded him in death.
He met Edith Kemp in ninth grade at Lincoln High School and they dated for seven years before marrying on July 11, 1937 and spending another 78 years together. He was a veteran of World War II and worked as a meat cutter in grocery stores in his early years and later at the Des Moines Armory building.
After retirement they spent 27 years wintering in Dundee, FL. In 2001 they moved to Ever Greene Ridge in Jefferson and enjoyed serving pancake breakfasts and socializing with the residents there. Tom loved fishing, gardening, carpentry, watching the Chicago Cubs and enjoyed meeting new people and keeping in touch with old friends.
He was the oldest living member of Clifton Heights Presbyterian Church in Des Moines when it disbanded and then joined First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.
He passed away peacefully at the age of 100 at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson on July 21, 2015. Tom loved his family deeply and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Edith, daughters Loretta (Lori) and husband Ron DeBok of Jefferson and Linda Douglas of Minneapolis, Minnesota; five grandchildren: Lisa Prescott of Jefferson, Julie DeBok of Columbia Falls, Montana, Michele Herscovici of Olathe, Kansas, Larry Douglas and Dan Douglas of Minneapolis, Minnesota: eleven great grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter.
Visitation was held at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home after noon on Thursday, July 23 with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. A Celebration of Life service was held at First Presbyterian Church at 10:30 a. m. on Friday, July 24 with Pastor Gordon Moen offering words of comfort. Music for the service was provided by Tom Hinote and Sheryl Sloan. Tom’s grandchildren served as casket bearers: Lisa Prescott, Julie DeBok, Michele Herscovici, Chuck Herscovici, Larry Douglas, Dan Douglas and Becki Douglas. Interment was at the Jefferson Cemetery following the service and concluded with Taps played by great-grandson Nathan Herscovici.
Memorials are suggested to First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson and Greene County Medical Center Foundation.
