James Douglas Roach

James Douglas Roach, age 84, of Doyline, Louisiana, died on August 6, 2022, at McLaren
Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan. He was born in Haughton, Louisiana, on
November 4, 1937, to Joseph Taylor and Annie Mae (Chandler) Roach.

James grew up in Webster Parish and graduated from Doyline High School with the class of
1955. He attended Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where he met Patsy
Aline Leach and later married in June of 1958. He also attended the University of Mississippi
‘‘Ole Miss” where he received his Masters degree. James began his coaching career in 1960 at
Doyline High School. Though James was a teacher for many years he was best known as Coach
Roach. He coached for twenty years at Doyline High School before retiring and working in the
oilfield for a brief time. He then taught and coached at Plain Dealing Academy and Glenbrook
Academy in Minden before returning to Doyline High School in 1985. After retiring in 1995,
James and Patsy began visiting the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan to see family.

James was a charter member of West Lake Baptist Church in Doyline and has a place in the
LHSAA Hall of Fame.

James loved gardening and even while vacationing in Michigan during the summer he and his
Son-in-law Dan would plant a big garden. James loved to fish, run yoyo’s and trotlines, and
never met a fish that wasn’t big enough to keep. He also enjoyed tinkering with small engine
motors. James was a master duck caller and although he enjoyed hunting he enjoyed “just talking
to them” every now and then., James was an avid Louisiana State University football fan and a
proud supporter of his grandchildren in all their athletics. Besides Patsy and his family, Coaching
was the love of his life and All of his “ball players” were like family to him. He was an
inspiration to all that knew him. He was a mentor to many students, families, and friends over the
years and will be greatly missed.

James is survived by his wife, Patsy Roach; son, Jimmy (Sara) Roach of Doyline; daughter,
Rachel (Dan) Rambo of Hessel, Michigan; grandchildren, Kelsey Rambo, Kayla Rambo, Taylor
Roach, and M’Lyn Roach; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Susie Roach of Baton Rouge,
Louisiana; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

James is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Annie Roach; and brothers, Charles
(Nancy) Roach, and David Roach.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to the prayer garden memorial fund in
honor of James Roach.
West Lake Baptist Church
PO BOX 778
Doyline, LA 71023

Visitation will be held at Doyline HIgh School on September 17th in the Cafeteria and services will
be at 1:00 pm in the Doyline High School Gymnasium.

Final resting place will be at the West Lake Baptist Church Cemetery in Doyline, Louisiana.

Galer Funeral Homes & Cremation in Pickford, Michigan, and Kilpatrick Rose-Neath Funeral
Home in Minden, Louisiana, are serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.galerfuneralhomes.com or https://www.rose-neath.com.