Jess Lucian Roan

Jess Lucian Roan went to be with his Lord on September 12, 2019 in Amarillo, Texas at the age of 79. Jess was born on October 25, 1939 in Stonewall, Oklahoma. He met Joann Kifer at Stonewall High School when he was a senior and she was a freshman. After asking her on a date and sharing a hamburger at Folgers Cafe in Ada, the 2 fell in love and were married on August 19, 1961. Joann was his queen and he loved her with all his heart. Shortly after the wedding they moved to Amarillo where Jess was hired as a math teacher at Crockett Junior High and Joann got a job as the secretary at Austin Jr. High. In 1963 when Caprock High School opened, he began a legacy teaching drafting that spanned for 33 years and reached hundreds of students. He was the kind of teacher that loved what he did every day and loved every kid that walked into his classroom. He taught them drafting and woodworking but more importantly, he taught them about what it means to be a person of integrity and to always be the best at whatever they did. This culture quickly spread and before long Caprock High School was one of the premier programs in the state. Many students went on to build careers with what they learned in Mr. Roan’s class. To this day, he was always blessed to hear from former students and they always made time to call, text or visit.

The oldest of 4 boys, Jess quickly developed a love of baseball as a player then later as a coach and umpire. That love of the game was passed down to his family and they have all spent many hours watching Ranger baseball (and the Sod Poodles) on TV and in person. Jess and Joann have made a tradition of attending every opening day together and they haven’t missed many. Jess also loved Oklahoma Sooner football and tried to convert everyone he met to do the same. His latest sport he loved was watching his grandkids play volleyball and he was always found cheering on Tascosa High School even when he didn’t always understand the rules.

Jess loved his family and was proud of his 3 kids and 8 grandkids. All 3 of his children were in his class at Caprock as well as 2 of their spouses and the stories were always a part of every gathering. Jess never missed an opportunity to brag on his kids and grandkids and loved watching them play sports, dance, do theater, sing and play their instruments. His favorite was probably just being with his family playing dominoes and watching football and baseball games. His family and wife were his world.

You can’t talk about Jess Roan without mentioning his love for the Lord. Jess and Joann began attending Temple Baptist church in October of 1964 and still worship there to this day. Jess was a leader in his church and never missed an opportunity to minister to someone. He made a full-time job out of visiting people in the hospital or those who were homebound and just needed someone to pray with. He taught Sunday School for 54 years at Temple Baptist and started a “40 minutes with God” class from scratch over 15 years ago that has had over 100 members. He treated every member like family and the love he received in return was endless. The night Jess met Jesus, he was no doubt greeted with “Well done my good and faithful servant”.

Jess was preceded in death by his father, Jess Nunn Roan and his mother Violet Pauline Ellis Roan. He is survived by his beautiful wife Joann Roan of Amarillo, daughter Carolyn Franks and husband Jay of Colleyville, daughter Sheila Sims and husband Richard of Amarillo, son Mark Roan and wife Kristin of Dallas, grandkids Taylor, Maddie Jo, Julia, Ryan, Olivia, McKay, Sophie and Kelton, brothers Will Roan, Paul Roan, and Ben Roan.

Memorial service for Jess will be at 11:00AM Monday, September 16, 2019 at The Loft Church at 4400 S. Georgia with Jay Franks, son in law, and Scott Higginbotham of Temple Baptist Church officiating. In honor of Jess and his love of baseball, feel free to wear Ranger shirts or red and blue. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.