Thomas G. Roach passed away on December 16, 2025. He had been at the Waters nursing home since September.
Tom was born June 23, 1930 to Arvel (Shorty) and Zella Roach. He was a life-long resident of Greencastle and army veteran of the Korean War. Upon his return from service, he married Evelyn Birkemeier with whom he raised three children. Sadly, Evelyn passed away in 1987.
Tom began his 31-year career with IBM in 1954 after taking accounting courses at DePauw and Butler. In 1969, he began preparing income tax returns in his home for friends, relatives, and coworkers. The business grew steadily and, in 1989, after marrying Suzy, they moved Tom Roach Tax Service to north Jackson Street. He loved this work, but finally retired at the age of 88.
Tom was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and served many years as commander and quartermaster of the Greencastle post. He had also been a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals, the American Legion, Moose, and Elks.
Tom enjoyed travel and visited all fifty states and many foreign countries via car, bus, plane, train, and cruise ship. When large trips became physically challenging, driving the back roads in Suzy's Mazda Miata was a pleasant pastime. French Lick was a favorite destination. He loved playing games, especially poker with a great group of younger guys. He played dominoes often with family and friends. For over twenty years, games rotated among three couples' homes. Tom was a huge IU basketball fan, especially during the Knight years. He also liked watching Butler and, yes, even Purdue. Another passion was the Indianapolis 500. This was a family affair with his kids and grandkids attending the race. For many years, Tom chartered a bus with police escort to transport family and friends to the track.
In 1998, Tom and Suzy moved into Spring Tree Square Condominiums. He helped establish its home-owners association and served as the first board president. He made many good friends there and appreciated having such nice neighbors.
He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Suzanne, his children: Thomas W. Roach (Sheri), Greencastle; Beth Naylor (Jeff), Florida; Janet Erickson (Todd), North
Dakota. He is also survived by grandsons: Adam Roach (Amy), Alex Roach Beckley (Lindsey), Ayrton Erickson, and Dalton Erickson (Katie). Beautiful great granddaughters: Claire Roach, Lillian Roach, and Eleanor Beckley. He is also survived by much loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his five siblings: Kate Marshall, James Roach, Margaret Underwood, Lucille White, Mildred O'Neal, and three nieces.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 10, 2025 at the Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Forest Hill Cemetery
.The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until time of services on Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Putnam County Humane Shelter.
