Seaman 1st Class Russell Clyde Roach

Seaman 1st Class Russell Clyde Roach, made the supreme sacrifice for his country on December 7, 1941, when he lost his life in action on the USS Oklahoma in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. He is believed to be one of the first veterans from Zanesville KIA during World War II.

He was 1 of 9 children, born on May 17, 1919 in Akron, Ohio to the late Clyde Roach and Dorothy Bell Smeltzer Roach.  

He is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Owen Samuel (Mary) Roach, Patty (Marion) Sweet DeGarmo, Ron Sweet, Sandy Sweet Houston, Peggy Bay Warren, John Bay, Joseph Bay, Richard Bay, Bryan Roach, Bonnie Newcomb, Donna Novez, Sandy Smith, Rebecca McKenzie, Brenda Willarst, Susan McCully, Westley Roach, Russell Roach, Charles Roach, Thomas Roach, Teresa Roach, and Peg Joseph Kinder.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by siblings, Walter Roach, James Roach, Herbert Roach, Richard Roach, Mary Roach Sweet, Eleanor Roach McDonald, Marion Roach Bay, and Marjorie Roach.

Russell went into the Navy when he was just 17 years old, following his 3 brother’s footsteps of joining the military. His mother was a gold star mother and was awarded the Purple Heart from the War Department.

Russell is coming home after eighty years.  His last flight will land in Columbus, OH August 9, 2021 at 5:50PM with an escort from the United States Navy, Patriot Guard Riders and local law enforcement, back to his hometown of Zanesville, OH. The procession will be traveling I-70 East to Route 40/Main Street through town to South 5th Street, arriving approximately 7:45 PM to 8:15 PM at DeLong-Baker & Lanning Funeral Home 56 South 5th Street Zanesville, OH 43701.

Graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery on Wednesday August 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM with Deacon Randy Smith officiating. Full military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy in conjunction with the VFW George Selsam Post 1058 and American Legion Post 29. The community is invited to honor and pay tribute to one of the last veterans of our greatest generation returning home. Procession from the funeral home to the cemetery will leave at 10:30 AM for those wishing to attend.

The Roach family wishes to extend a special thank you to the United States Navy and to the men and women who worked so hard on bringing Russell home.  

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