James William Roth, known to everyone as Sam, passed away on August 27, 2026, in Windham, Ohio. Born on January 21, 1932, in Cleveland, Ohio, Sam was the son of James J. and Mary Roth, and he carried their legacy with the kind of steady grit and warmth that made him unforgettable.
He was married to Marsha Roth, and together they shared a life that was rich in love, humor, and the occasional well-earned eye roll.
He is survived by his wife; his children, Dianne and Dave Roman, Jim and Renee Roth, and Pamela and Tim Bowers; grandchildren, Sam and Morgan Roth, Joe Roth, Meredith Loux, Carrie and Jack Zhang, Amber Bowers, Brittany and Brenton Alber. He also leaves behind fifteen great grandchildren; one great-great grandson and long-time friend, Audrey Roth.
He was preceded in death by grandsons, Blake Wolfe and James Loux; and by his sister, Marie Wolff.
Sam made his living as the self-employed owner of a Sunoco service station, a role that suited him perfectly. He knew how to keep things running, how to fix what was broken, and how to make people feel welcome while he did it. He understood that a service station was never just about gas and repairs. It was also a place where people stopped for help, conversation, and sometimes a laugh they did not know they needed. Sam had a gift for turning ordinary moments into memorable ones, and he never seemed to mind being the reason someone left with a smile.
He was funny, wise, and spirited, which is a combination that can either make a person beloved or impossible to argue with. In Sam’s case, it made him both. He had the rare ability to tell the truth in a way that made it easier to hear, and he could deliver a punchline with the same precision that he used to handle the details of daily life. His humor was never mean-spirited. It was the kind that brought people together, reminded them not to take themselves too seriously, and made even the toughest days a little lighter.
Sam was always ready to drop a dollar on the number three horse at any track and spent a lot of time online watching and betting. He will always be remembered for teaching his great grandson, Michael, about the odds at age four.
Outside of work, Sam was an avid bowler. Bowling gave him the chance to aim carefully, follow through, and enjoy the occasional strike, which is a lot like life if you think about it. Painting gave him a different kind of freedom, one that allowed him to create beauty with patience and color. He appreciated both the simple satisfaction of doing something well and the joy of doing something just for the pleasure of it. And his artwork is displayed in many homes and businesses in the area. That balance of discipline and creativity was part of what made him so interesting.
Sam’s life was a reminder that being wise does not require being solemn, and being spirited does not mean you cannot also be dependable. He was proof that a good sense of humor is not just entertainment. It is a form of generosity. As the comedian Phyllis Diller once said, “A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.” Sam would have appreciated that line, probably because it sounds like something he might have said after fixing a problem, cracking a joke, and making sure everyone knew he had been right all along. He will be remembered for his humor, his steady presence, and the way he made life feel more manageable simply by being himself. He was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a hardworking businessman, and a man who knew that the best stories are the ones told with a grin. Though he has left this world, the laughter he inspired and the love he gave will remain part of the family’s story forever.
Sam lived a long, meaningful life, and he did it with style, wit, and a spirit that never seemed to run out of fuel. That may be the most fitting tribute of all, considering he spent so many years keeping things running at the Sunoco station. He took care of people, he took care of business, and he took care of making sure nobody got through life without at least one good laugh.
There will be a celebration of life at a later date.
Please visit www.borowskimemorialhome.com to send condolences to the family.
