Obituary of John S. Roth, Jr.

John S. (Jack) Roth, Jr., of Ashburn, Virginia passed away on June 23 at home surrounded by his children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Adams-Green Funeral Home, 721 Elden Street, Herndon, VA 20170 on Wednesday, June 28 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The funeral service will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 750 Peachtree Street, Herndon, VA 20170 on Thursday, June 29 at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Tom Bourque, T.O.R. officiating.  Burial will immediately follow the funeral at Sterling Cemetery located at 45835 E. Church Road, Sterling, VA.

Jack was born in Bridgeport, Ohio to John S. Sr. and Anna (Smrekar) Roth on October 3, 1930.  He graduated from Bridgeport High School in 1948, where he excelled at baseball, basketball and football.  Jack entered the United States Air Force at age 17, and served as a Radio Operator in the Aleutian Islands off the coast of Alaska during the Korean War.   He worked for Eastern Airlines where he met the love of his life, Grace Marie Bendorf.  Jack & Grace were happily married for 52 years.  He enjoyed a 22-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Control specialist.  His service is memorialized at the National Air & Space Museum’s Wall of Honor at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Foil 064/Panel 01).

In addition to his parents, Jack is preceded in death by his loving wife, Grace Marie Roth, brothers Charles (Chuck), & Robert (Bob), and sister Theresa Pollack.  He is survived by his 4 children Jacqueline M. Geigel, and husband Ronald, of Shepherdstown, WV; Ronald J. Roth and wife Nora of Hamilton, VA; Michele M. Roth, his loyal and dedicated caregiver, of Ashburn, and Carolyn Roth Caylor of Round Hill, VA; and by 5 grandchildren, Christopher and Rebecca Geigel, Emmett Roth and Cameron & Kyle Caylor. He is also survived by his siblings, brother Donald (Don) and wife Patty; sisters MaryAnn (Meatzie) Nedved and Dorothy (Dotzie) Bennett, Elizabeth (Liz) Lipperman and husband Dan; and Lillian (Lil) Magistro and husband John, his lifelong friend Jack Kutchaver, and many extended family members, beloved friends and former co-workers.

Jack loved all sports, and rooted loudly and proudly for the Cleveland Indians & Browns, Ohio State University, and the Washington Nationals.  He held season tickets to the Washington Redskins for many years.  He loved the beach, and he and Grace and family spent many vacations in Myrtle Beach, SC.  He also enjoyed attending annual Roth family reunions with his siblings and extended family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to Jack’s neighbors, Tom & Sarah Marshall, Ron & Beth Little, and Bill & Sarah Johnson for their friendship, generosity and assistance over the years.