Mr. John Wilkins Roach Jr., “Jack” to those who knew him, passed away on the 25th day of September, 2010, at the age of 90.

Jack was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Claire Wohner Roach of Canton, Miss., and survived by his eight children, Louise Billingsley of Eclectic, Ala., Anne Graham of Baton Rouge, John Roach of Atlanta, Ruth Morgan of Canton, Marie Yeates of Houston, Texas, James Roach of Franklinton, La., Carol Talton of Port Neches, Texas, and Claire Hackney of Clear Lake, Texas, as well as 18 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Jack was also preceded in death by his parents, John Wilkins Roach and Eunice Jones Roach, both of Vicksburg.

Jack, a civil engineer and a 1949 graduate of Mississippi State University, spent his career with Eustis Engineering Company of Metairie, La., and retired as president of the firm. Jack was also Major Roach, a veteran of both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He saw combat serving in France and Germany with the United States Army’s 80th Infantry Division, Third Army, under Gen. George S. Patton. When called to active duty immediately upon outbreak of the Korean Conflict, Major Roach returned to service in Korea with the 32nd Engineering Construction Battalion, U.S. Army, where he was awarded the Bronze Star, as well as awards from the Korean government for his contributions to reconstruction of that war-torn country and United States ally.

Graveside services and interment will occur at the Port Hudson National Cemetery located in Zachary, La., at 12:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, 2010. Following graveside services, a memorial service in celebration of Jack’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Oct. 1, 2010, at the University Baptist Church, 5775 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA. After the memorial service, the family will welcome guests at a reception at Fellowship Hall of the University Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers or other memorials, donations may be made to the John W. Roach Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund, Mississippi State University Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.