Norman R. Roach (N.R.), born September 28, 1918, in Lufkin, Texas, to Dewitt & Tinney McCoy Roach, passed away March 7, 2010 at the age of 91 after a long battle with cancer.

Norman went to school in Moffett, TX. and graduated from Moffett High School. Norman worked many jobs including being a Milkman before he worked for Fluor Corporation and for B&W Corporation as an ironworker building bridges, grain elevators, and power stations. He worked for Gunner A. Olsen Corp. out of New York City building radio towers for the government and built nuclear power plants. He moved his family to Odem, TX. in 1953, and this became home. He traveled to the eastern United States, Turkey, Trinidad, & Iceland building the radio towers. He built radar radio towers which were instrumental in the sending of the "Monkey" and John Glenn to the moon in 1962. He supervised the repairs to the radio tower on top of the Empire State building in New York City. He supervised the building of numerous power plants and grain elevators in South Texas. He was self taught to read blue prints and was thought to be one of the best.

Norman was with the Iron Workers Local Union #66 out of San Antonio and was recognized in November, 2009 as being a member of that local for 65 years. Norman was with the Masons and went on to become a Shriner. He was recognized in 2009 as being a Master Mason for over 60 years at the Masonic Lodge in Sinton, TX. He is an Endowed Member of the Al Amin Shriner's Temple in Corpus Christi, TX.

Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Dewitt and Tinney Roach, a sister, Margaret Linzy Nerren, brother, James Larry Roach, wife, Grace Eilene Hendrickson Roach, and 3 sons, Jimmy Ray Roach, Marshall Dewitt Roach, and Larry Rex Roach.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Kathryn Sims Roach of Harper, TX., daughters Barbara (Travis) Lytle of Corpus Christi, TX, Donna (Gary) Alexander of Kingsville, TX, son Bobby Roach of Odem, TX,. Step-son Robert (Mona) Funderberg of Calallen, TX,. Grandchildren, Wayne (Elaine) Lytle of Corpus Christi, TX., Lynnette (Gene) Felder of Calallen, TX., Shane (Kelly) Alexander of Cedar Park, TX., Craig (Jennifer) Alexander of Kingsville, TX., Bobby Ray Roach of Rosedale, West Virginia, Todd (Kelly) Patterson of Cedar Park, TX., and Brandon (Robin) Wheeler of Devine, TX. Step Grandchildren, Capt. Troy (Hope) Funderberg, Ret. of Enterprise, Alabama, Sally Jane (Minor) Norman, P.H.D. of Madison, Mississippi. 13 Great-Grandchildren and 6 Step Great-Grandchildren. Also, brother Winston Coy (Francis) Roach of Breckenridge, TX, Nephew Jon (Jan) Linzy of Lufkin, Tx. and numerous other nieces and nephews. In 1991, Norman and Kathryn moved to the Harper, TX area. He will be missed by his friends in the Harper area who he hunted and hung out with. When he moved to the Harper area he found his "buddies" and treasured the time they spent together.

Viewing will be at Resthaven Funeral Home in Sinton, TX 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2010 and from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at Evergreen Cemetery in Odem, TX with Winston Coy Roach officiating with Masonic services following.

Memorial remembrances may be made to Hill Country Memorial Hospice (800-859- 3169).

The family invites you to send condolences at www.grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link. Local arrangements entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home.