James Michael Roth

James Michael Roth, 69, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 30, 2023 at Taylor House Hospice surrounded by his family.

James was born in Grinnell, Iowa, on December 24, 1953 to James A. Roth and Laverne A. (Wachter) Roth. His family moved to Des Moines where he attended St. Anthony’s grade school (class of 1968), and later graduated from Lincoln High School (class of 1972). After high school, James served in the Marine Corps. He completed bootcamp in San Diego, after which he spent time stationed in Yuma, Arizona and overseas in Okinawa, Japan. Some of his best and most animated stories came from his time in the service (things he was lucky he didn’t get caught doing, and lucky he survived to tell about).  In 1975, James met his wife-to-be, Pamela, and they married in 1976. They began their family while living in Des Moines, and moved to De Soto, Iowa in 1986.

James worked as a mail handler at the Bulk Mail Center in Urbandale for 33 years, while proudly being a member of the Mail Handlers Union. The first day on the job as a mail handler is easily remembered as it was the exact day his daughter was born.

James valued family and made time with them a priority. Throughout his life he also enjoyed many hobbies, including: fishing, camping, playing baseball/softball, watching football, scratch-off tickets, playing cards, traveling, coffee with friends, and simply going on car rides, among other things.

James is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Pamela (Syhlman) Roth; and infant brother, Thomas Roth.

Those left to cherish James’ memory are his three children: Joseph (Sarah) of Earlham, Suzie (Carlos) Justo of Urbandale, and Thomas (Jasmine) of Urbandale; his sisters, Carol Garwood, Helen Bell, and Patricia Walters; his brothers, Charles, William, Lawrence, and Steven Roth; his grandchildren, Alijandro, Samantha, Karli, Xavier, Brandon, Sofia, Caleb, Brody, and Ethan; and many other family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, November 3, 2023 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, Adel Chapel, with a vigil being held at 5:30 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 4, 2023 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Adel. A burial will follow mass at the Oakdale Cemetery in Adel. Memorial Contributions can be made to UnityPoint - Taylor House Hospice, https://www.unitypoint.org/giving, in honor of James. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.