Remembering Eugene Roach

“Who is going to fill their shoes, who is going to stand that tall…” so goes the song made popular by George Jones.  The passing of an older generation is just one more loss to a link with the past.  And who will step up to keep the good values of a simple lifestyle going?

Eugene Roach lived a long life on this earth and in talking with him over the last couple of months, several things struck me interesting.  He talked so much about his family and he couldn’t have been prouder of them or loved them more.  Of course, Gene did have one flaw and that was flying but as long as Eugene could keep his feet on the ground, everything was alright.  And he wasn’t quite sure about Greg early on but he turned out to be “a fine fellow.”  After a long life, having a family full of love is a legacy we should all strive for.

Eugene would tell many stories and there was a reoccurring theme to them.  Every one he talked about was a good person or a fine fellow.  It is as though the bad memories were gone and only pleasant ones remained.  Surely this came from a lifetime of looking for good in folks.  May the Lord grant us one day only pleasant memories.

The last time I visited with Eugene, the conversation turned toward religious matters.  At one point in the conversation, he leaned forward, looked me straight in the eye and said, “Just do what’s in the book.”  If there was ever a way to sum up what life should be about - that’s it.  If the Bible says it we should just do it. 

God sees every tear we shed (Psalms 56:8.)  But remember his words, “Just do what’s in the book” and he still speaks.