With love and admiration for a life well-lived, the family of Donald Henry Roth announces his passing on April 27, 2017 at the age of 78. Born on August 26, 1938 in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Don was the only child of William and Alice Roth. Don obtained a BA in Political Science, and a MBA at Mississippi State University, where he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and the ROTC. Don then earned a JD from the University of Mississippi. Don served two years in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany while serving in Army Intelligence where he reached the rank of Captain. Despite varied interests and studies, Don remained devout in his faith and as a result, he entered Conception Seminary after his military service.
While in the seminary, Don found his true calling, when he observed a high school religion class at Loretta Academy in Kansas City, MO, taught by Ms. Kathleen Lucas. Not long after, Don left the seminary, married Kathleen and settled in Kansas City. He retired as Chief of the Financial Management Section, Kansas City Region, of the Social Security Administration, where he worked for 30 years. Don and Kathleen had two children, Matthew and Megan Roth.
Don enjoyed participating in his children’s lives – as Assistant Coach, on Scout camping trips, cheering soccer teams, and attending theatrical productions. He enjoyed warm weather and being outside and Don loved to run. He ran everyday – often running down Ward Parkway or the Brookside Trail. He loved training for marathons, and ran the Boston Marathon twice. He ran everyday, including while on vacations in nearly every state and abroad, including while in Europe and Canada . . . too many states and countries to remember. Of course, he ran the KC Marathon every year when healthy, and continued to run until his disease took that ability away from him.
Don was an active member of MARA – Mid-America Running Association and KCTC – Kansas City Track Club.
For 26 years, Don fostered and supported religious vocations through his membership in the Serra Club of Kansas City in Kansas, during which he served as Vice-President, Secretary and member of the Board of Directors. Don was also a member of SENCOM, a fifty-plus group who taught older adults how to use computers. (If only he had succeeded in teaching his wife.)
Growing-up in the South instilled in Don a love for history – a love which brought him and his family to numerous battlefield parks throughout the country. But Don’s most consuming hobby was reading, especially historical fiction and civil war era novels.
Don is survived by Kathleen, his wife of 47 years; his son Matthew and Matt’s wife Terri Hilton; his daughter Megan; and three generations of nieces, nephews and cousins. In his last year and half, Don was able to meet and hold his only grandchild, Madelyn Marie Roth.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at 11 am at St. Ann Catholic Church, 7231 Mission Road, Prairie Village, KS 66208. Visitation will take place prior to the service from 10 am to 11 am. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Don’s memory to support Frontotemporal Degeneration research at the KU Alzheimer’s Disease Center. Checks should be made payable to KU Endowment – Alzheimer’s/FTD Research, and should be mailed to KU Endowment, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., MS 3012, Kansas City, KS 66160. Online donations may be made at http://www.kualzheimer.org.
I feel very blessed to have known Don and his family, especially my dear friend Megan. My love and prayers go out to all of you. His spirit lives on in his family and in the loving and wonderful stories you have of him and his life. Megan, Matt, and Kathleen, you are devine story tellers and will honor him in your ability to tell his history!
I’m very grateful to have known Don and his family. Megan, our love goes out to all of you and your family. As Sara said so beautifully, his spirit will live on through all of you and the many wonderful memories you have of him. The world is better for having had him in it.
I met Don during my career with Social Security, when I took a job in Regional Office in the early 80s. In a professional capacity he was always helpful, humble, and pleasant to work with. I was also a runner at the time, and he offered me much encouragement and always gave good advice. We ran together several times in races and training, and even though I was about 13 years younger I could never keep up with him. I am very grateful for having known Don, and I learned a lot from him.
Don was much loved and appreciated by his family, both immediate and extended. He was the epitome of a southern gentleman, unfailingly kind, courteous and loving. David and I felt blessed to be his brother in law and sister in law. While we’ll always be sad Don is no longer with us on this earth, we feel grateful that his suffering is at an end. We know he’s now at peace in the loving arms of the Lord.
The time Lily and I spent with Don was too short, but each encounter was memorable. A man of few words, but effective with those words, showing his intelligence and depth of thought, in a casual and unpretentious manner. A man who was comfortable with himself.
He leaves: Kathy, a loving and very supportive wife; two accomplished adult children, Megan and Matt, who are their own unique people, while reflecting the values of mom and dad; and Matt’s wife, Terri, and their daughter, Madelyn. Even with all his other accomplishments, this alone is a standard to measure the successful life of Don Roth.
Lily and I are fortunate to know the Roth family. We are grateful to have Matt as our son-in-law. He carries on the traits of a loving husband and father.
I was extremely greatful to have known Don. Savor your memories all the wonderful
good times you had together and know that he is at
peace now.
Don was my salvation when I first entered seminary and we drove many miles in that old VW and it is where I first met Kathleen (who raked me up one side and down the other for intellectual integrity and my lack of it.)I am a better person for having known Don and his family.
Have not been good about staying in touch but love this family and especially my godson Matthew.
All in my prayers.
Thank you for your kind reply.
Mom says, “Where are you damnit!?” 😉
If you can’t tell, she’d love to talk to you if you’re able to get in touch.
Kathleen,
I am since..rely sorry for your loss. Although, after a few months at Miss. State I only saw Don, and met you at our 50th year reunion, I do fondly remember the years at St. Al as a fun member of our large class of 16. In those days if you saw one of us the others were nearby. I remember Don as quiet and considerate classmate and friend. I will remember you and your family in my prayers, especially on Tuesday.
I worked with Don at Social Security for many years. Smart, thoughtful, kind, empathetic, professional are terms that come to mind to describe Don. I never saw him lose his cool. He was a good role model for me and I tried to emulate his behavior, usually with meager success.
Kathleen, Matthew and Megan,
I will never forget Don and all the stories my Dad told me of growing up in Vicksburg together. I am so glad that Don and my Dad stayed good friends over the years, doesn’t sound like the seminary was the right fit for either of them! You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. I know his life was filled with much love and happiness and I hope the memories of his great spirit will bring you peace in the coming months.
I would like to offer my deepest sympathy to the Roth family. Although this is a difficult time, you can be assured that God cares for your family and can be a source of comfort (2 Corinthians 1: 3, 4). He also promises a time soon when death will be brought to nothing (1 Corinthians 15: 26, Isaiah 25:8). We can look forward to such a joyous time. For additional information, please visit jw.org.
Kathleen, Matthew and Megan,
I will always remember Don from the times we got together when I was younger and from the stories that my Dad told me about growing up in Vicksburg together. It sounds like they both made the right choice by not going into the seminary! I’m so glad they remained good friend over the years despite the distance. You all are in my thoughts and prayers and hope that you find peace reflecting on the many happy memories and much love that you shared as a family.
I would love to talk to her as well. I am in Ocean Springs Mississippi working as DRE Alphonsus parish.how can we do this?
Dear Matt, We miss you and are excited to welcome you back to work. I am glad that you have been there with family to remember your beloved father, celebrating his life, and mourning his passing. I wish I could have met him! Your solid, centered, and productive presence reflects your father’s personality as he is described above. My favorite sentence is this: “Don was able to meet and hold his only grandchild, Madelyn Marie Roth.” What a joy to have Maddie in your lives now. She will remind you of all your father’s love and devotion. As she grows, you will treasure all the good that he passed on to you more and more. God bless you all. My deepest sympathies for your loss. May your soul be flooded with the peace of Christ that passes understanding. -Ryanne Saddler