James Joseph Roach

December 24, 1968–July 9, 2025

James Joseph Roach, age 56, longtime resident of Shanghai Ridge, Eastman and Wauzeka area, passed away Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison after a short, unexpected illness. 

Jim was born on Dec. 24, 1968, the youngest child of Louis and Mary (Gerlach) Roach. 

He went to school in the Wauzeka public school system and graduated from Wauzeka High School with the class of 1987. 

During his high school years, he enjoyed playing football. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy and took his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Academy in North Chicago, Ill. 

After training, his port of duty was aboard the USS Belknap, a guided missile cruiser out of Gaeta, Italy, utilized during the First Gulf War. 

Towards the end of his six years of service, Jim also served on the nuclear-powered missile cruiser, the USS Truxtun, in the role of patrol and command center. 

During his military service, he was able to experience many different cultures and countries, including Italy, Germany, Austria and Australia to name a few. He was also able to experience Christmas services at the Vatican in Rome. 

After his naval service, he returned home to the family farm on Shanghai Ridge. He then became employed by DSC Technologies in Prairie du Chien as a robotics maintenance engineer for several years until the company was bought out by Harmon Industries. 

He then returned to the family farm, working maintenance jobs for farmers in the area until his passing. He was preceded in death by an infant brother, his parents Louis and Mary, brother-in-law Vincent Tippery, his sister’s partner Jerry Weiss and his beloved fur baby companion Allis. 

He is survived by eight siblings Theresa Tippery, Bernetta (Paul) Bartels, David (Mary Kay) Roach, Greg (Jean) Roach, Julie (Kevin) Michel, Daniel (Hidie) Roach, Rachel (Robert) Ashe, and Mike Roach; aunt Ann Gerlach; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins; and fur baby companion Oliver. He will be greatly missed by his family, card playing buddies, and friends. 

You are going home. Rest in peace, baby brother.

A Memorial Service will be Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Garrity Funeral Home Chapel in Prairie du Chien, with private interment at a later date. 

Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025, from 4–7 p.m. and also at the funeral home on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service. 

Military Honors will be accorded by the Prairie du Chien Honor Guard. www.garrityfuneralhome.com.