James St. John Roach

James St. John Roach, age 53, of 2518 Lakeview Drive, Johnson City, died at his residence Thursday, March 2nd. Mr. Roach was the son of Josephine St. John Roach and the late John A. Roach. He was a native and lifelong resident of Johnson City. He was an attorney, practicing in Johnson City since 1978. Mr. Roach was a 1971 graduate of Science Hill High School, a 1975 graduate of the University of Tennessee and a 1978 graduate of Memphis State University School of Law with a Doctor of Jurisprudence and a Master of Business Administration. A fellow member of the Bar Association and a good friend of Mr. Roach?s writes, 'Jim was known as a progressive visionary as city commissioner and Johnson City?s youngest mayor. During his tenure, Johnson City underwent unprecedented improvements in its infrastructure and services. Jim fiercely committed his considerable intellect and talent as a lawyer to protecting the civil and constitutional rights of many Tennessee citizens in state and federal courts. Jim was passionate about the cause of liberty and equal protection of all people without regard to race, gender or status. He despised bigotry and hypocrisy. Gentle and kind, Jim appreciated the importance of embracing people from all walks of life and his example will continue to influence all who were privileged to know him.' He was a lifetime member of Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church. Mr. Roach is survived by his mother, Josephine St. John Roach of Johnson City; two daughters, Margaret Roach and Katherine Roach of Johnson City; one sister, Josephine Hemphill and her husband Chris of Johnson City; two brothers, John T. Roach of Nashville and Robert D. Roach and his wife Leila of Longwood, Florida; three nephews, Scott Hemphill of New York, New York; Brian Hemphill and his wife Clair, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; Michael Roach of Longwood, Florida; one niece, Anna Mitchell and her husband Steve, of Corvallis, Oregon and a great nephew, Matthew Mitchell of Corvallis, Oregon.