Warren Thomas Roof, 91, of Vero Beach, passed away peacefully on Aug. 13, 2015.
He is survived by his son Joseph Roof (Glenna) and daughter Jan Browne (Gardner); four grandchildren, Brian Roof (Veronica), Blake Browne, Kelsey Cochran (Daniel), Matthew Roof; and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Suzanne, his brother John Roof and sister Jean Gross.
Roof lived 91 active years. He was born and raised in Kenton, Ohio. After graduating from Kenton High School, he attended The Ohio State University. His education was abruptly halted as he was chosen to serve in WWII in the Southwest Pacific and Manilla in the United States Army Dental Corp. from 1943 – 1946. His service was always a point of great pride and conversation.
Upon returning to the States he married the love of his life, Suzanne Steiner Roof, and resumed his education at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science, from which he graduated Cum Laude. After working eight years as a partner at Lantz Funeral Home in Ada, Ohio, Roof spent more than 30 years working in broadcast television, retiring as General Sales Manager, Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of Caloosa Broadcasting, an ABC Affiliate in Naples, Fla.
In retirement, Roof moved to Vero Beach with Suzanne and worked part-time at Allstate Insurance (Browne Insurance Group) for nine years. Due to his love for social interaction, then in his late 70’s, he took on one final job as a Publix Bagger for nine more years.
He was a member of The United Methodist Church, a Mason, and belonged to the Elks, Kiwanis and Exchange Clubs. He also held licenses as a Funeral Home Director and Real Estate Agent. As a diehard college football and NASCAR fan, some of his fondest moments were sitting with family and friends, cheering his favorite teams and drivers to victory.
He had a wonderful way of touching peoples’ lives wherever he went. A memorial service will be held Sept. 5, at 4 p.m. at Strunk Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the VNA.
