James S Roth
September 13, 1929 - August 14, 2025
James “Jim” S. Roth, 95, passed away on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Jim was born in Clearwater, KS, on September 13, 1929, to Earl and Inez (Fivecoat) Roth. Jim, his older brother, Earl, Jr., and their parents lived in Galva, KS, where Jim’s father worked in the oil fields. After graduating from Galva High School in 1947, Jim worked as an auto mechanic before enlisting in the Army. Jim served in the 439th Engineering Battalion (the reserve unit) during the Korean War, which focused on building bridges and roads for US troops. Jim married Lois Clark on August 4, 1950, at her family farm in McPherson, KS. He returned from Korea in 1952, and the couple had their first son, Martin, in 1953. Jim used the GI bill to attend Kansas State University, graduating with a mechanical engineering degree in 1956.
Following his college graduation, Jim and Lois moved to Ponca City, OK, where Jim started his first job with Conoco Oil, and where they had their second son, Kendall. In May 1960, Jim and the family moved to Perry, OK, for a new job opportunity with a small, growing company named The Charles Machine Works, Inc., becoming the 50th person hired. Their young family continued to expand with the addition of three daughters, Lori, Jayme, and Marla. Jim stayed at Ditch Witch his entire professional life, serving as Vice President until his retirement in 1992. During his time at Ditch Witch, Jim embodied a servant leadership approach, feeling fierce loyalty, care, and responsibility in mentoring and supporting employees, specifically those in “the shop,” of whom he was very proud.
In addition to his leadership at Ditch Witch, Jim also felt strongly about his civic responsibility for the community of Perry, spearheading the initiative to bring the YMCA to Perry and also serving on the Board at First Bank & Trust for many years. Jim married Iva (Bartow) Burk on March 31,1990. They remained married until his death. From an early age, Jim was always someone who enjoyed “tinkering.” A natural fit for his degree in engineering, he took great honor in building the family home on Wakefield and 15th St in Perry, as well as endless creative projects built “the Roth way” for his family and friends. He loved traveling, whether internationally for work or on a motorcycle across the country with family and friends. Traveling also allowed Jim to fulfill another passion - visiting as many diners as possible. Jim had an uncanny ability to connect with people, helped by his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Jim had immense pride in his family and could always be counted on to show up when it mattered most, whether to solve a problem, teach a life lesson, create a lasting memory, or tell a funny story to lighten the mood. He loved his role as “Poppa Jim” and was always interested to talk about the latest adventures of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Jim is survived by five children: Martin (Ranay) Roth of Perry, OK; Kendall (Beth) Roth of Columbia, SC; Lori (Ron) Moore of Pittsburgh, PA; Jayme (Michael) Koch of Perry, OK; and Marla (Greg) Wehrer of Tuttle, OK; and one step-daughter, Shelli Burk of Stillwater, OK. He is survived by 11 grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and seven step-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Inez Roth; one brother, Earl Roth, Jr., and one great-grandchild, J Leuenberger.
A service will be held at 2:00pm on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the pavilion at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry, OK. Visitation will be on Thursday, August 21, 2025, with the family present from 6:00-8:00 pm at Trout Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank the nurses, and medical personnel at Perry Green Valley Nursing Home and Companion Healthcare Hospice for their excellent care and support.
We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Jim at www.troutperry.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home of Perry, 1408 N 7th St, Perry, OK 73077.
