Published in Houston Chronicle from April 1 to April 5, 2010
JAMES WARNER ROACH, JR., age 83, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2010. Jim was an accomplished amateur musician, artist and author. He was born in Livingston, Texas on September 12, 1926. Jim applied and was accepted into Texas A&M. He was drafted and served in WWII and later returned to A&M after leaving the service. With a degree in petroleum geology, Jim took off for West Texas for petroleum exploration. In 1951, he met the love of his life, Lee Gardner. After three months of courtship, they decided to wed. They spent their early life living in Ft. Stockton, El Paso, Midland, Houston and Oklahoma City before returning to Houston in 1963. Jim worked for Sohio Exploration until he decided to take off on his own in 1978. He opened JWR Exploration in 1980 and was successful from that point on. Jim leaves behind his loving wife, Lee; his daughter, Lisa J. Rogers; his son, James W. Roach, III and wife Trina; his three grandchildren, Nicole L. Rogers, Brittany L. Rogers and Travis A. Roach. Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 3, 2010 at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. Donations may be made to M.D. Anderson Cancer Center or the Parkinson's Foundation.