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Dennis Edward “Coach” Roach, age 77, a lifelong resident of Rutledge, TN, and a devoted Christ follower, peacefully passed into eternity on Monday, May 1, 2023.

He 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 BS 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. His pleasant, humorous, and good natured personality were spent investing in the lives of his students and athletes in multiple sports in Grainger and Jefferson counties for the next 30 years.

In addition to his work as an educator and coach, Dennis served as a State Representative from the 35th district for 20 years. During this time, he faithfully represented the residents of Grainger, Jefferson, and Claiborne counties as a Republican member of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

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. He took great joy in caring for the church members at Blue Springs as a deacon and leading a weekly class where he formed lifelong friendships with the adult men of the church.

Dennis, along with his wife, Glenda, was an active participant in The Gideons International whose mission is to “Change the world for Christ today; give the Word and always pray.” In his free time, he enjoyed following college and professional baseball and basketball, studying American History, visiting historical landmarks, golfing, fishing, and visiting with his grandchildren every chance he got!

Dennis will be remembered as an exceptional husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His kindness, generosity, and good humor will always be cherished memories.

He is proceeded in death by his parents Edward Lee Roach and Teresa (Odom) Roach and survived by his wife, Glenda; son, Dennis E. (Heather) Roach II; daughters Candace (Meade) McDonald and Julia (Jonathan) Marshall; grandchildren, Destiny (Joshua) Dalton, Isaiah and Eliana Roach, Benjamin, Catherine, and Bryce McDonald, and Jake Harrison Marshall; great- granddaughters, Emoree and Elara Dalton.

A receiving of friends will take place Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Blue Springs Baptist Church with the Celebration Of Life to begin at 12:00 p.m. The graveside service will immediately follow at Oakland Baptist Church.

The family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, a donation be made to The Gideons International. To make a donation online, go to www.sendtheword.org then select menu – choose a card – “e-card”. Thank you for your gift!

Arrangements by Smith-Reagan Funeral Home.