Dennis E. “Coach” Roach, 77, passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023. He was a 20-year state representative from District 35, representing residents of Grainger, Jefferson and Claiborne counties.
Coach Roach will be remembered as an exceptional athlete for the Rutledge High School Class of 1963 who then pursued his dream of playing college baseball as a southpaw for the ETSU Buccaneers where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education with the class of 1968.
Shortly after graduation, Dennis married his high school sweetheart and lifelong love, Glenda Carole Lowe Roach. He happily settled into parenting, teaching and coaching for Grainger County schools. He coached for 30 years. He was a lifelong member of Blue Springs Baptist Church where he established the nursing home ministry, served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for 40 years.
Dennis and Glenda were active participants in The Gideons International, a ministry that places Bibles in motel/hotel rooms among other activities.
The family will receive friends from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, May 6, at Blue Springs Baptist Church with the Celebration of Life to begin at noon. The full obituary is here.