Fred Raymond Roe

September 23, 2023, Fred Raymond Roe, 83, passed away at his home in Cordes Lakes, AZ.

Born on December 1st, 1939, in Jarrel, TX, to Jack Eugune Roe and Ethel Mae (Bridges) Roe, Fred was the youngest of four children. When Fred was a young boy, the family decided to leave Texas, so they made the long trip to California. When they arrived, they first lived in Pacific Beach and then moved to Imperial Beach, where Fred would spend most of his life. During those early years, Fred recalled his Daddy driving without the headlamps on because of the fear of Japanese submarines during WWII. He remembers this time as being scary, but also adventurous.

Fred graduated from Mar Vista High School in 1957 then joined the Army, where he was stationed in Hawaii. Of the things he spoke about during his military career, what stands out most was the joy of cracking open a fresh coconut on the beach yet finding out that there is such a thing as too much coconut milk! After the army, Fred worked in construction as a roofer.

In 1961, Fred married his first wife, Virginia Christine (aka Critty) Tackett Roe, with whom he was blessed with two daughters, Kimberley Ann, and Kelly Elizabeth. For a time, Fred and Critty owned a popular cocktail bar in Chula Vista, CA called “The Main Gate.”

After selling the bar, Fred naturally returned to roofing, which had become the lifeblood of many of the Roes and Johnsons (his sister Rosemary and Johnny Johnson’s children). Fred retired from the San Diego Roofers Union Local #45.

In 2000, Fred became a “friend of Bill W” and committed to helping others in AA. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. He took on a leadership role with AA and was earnestly dedicated to counseling others throughout the years with their personal struggles with addiction. His commitment to helping others stayed with him for the rest of his life.

In 2013, after over 20 years together, Fred married his wife, Judith (Judy) Rankin-Ledesma Roe. Judy loved “Freddy,” and she spoiled him rotten. They had great fun together and created a home where all were welcome. In 2018, Fred and Judy moved to Arizona, where his sister, Nell, his daughter Kim, and all her adult children and grandchildren lived.

Fred loved his family deeply and enjoyed traveling to family reunions in Texas and going on road trips to the River Delta in Idaho with his lifelong best friend, his brother, Jack.

He enjoyed sharing his love of family traditions, such as tamales for Christmas Eve and black-eyed peas for New Year's Eve, usually using the leftover ham bone from the Holidays. He also loved his game of solitaire!

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Judy; his daughters, Kim (Chris) Mathern and Kelly (Wayne) McCormick; Granddaughters Adrianne (Barret) Walters, Shelby (Joe) Carrasco, Kaitlyn McCormick, Grandsons Tyler (Carissa) Headland, Nathan (Tomi) O’Toole, and great-grandchildren Chloe, Tony, Landen, Brently, Haisley and Clay. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Johnny Johnson, and many beloved nieces and nephews who loved their “Uncle Fred.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack, Sr and Ethel Roe; his siblings, Jack Jr. and his wife, Helen Roe; his sisters, Rosemary Johnson and Nell Roe; and his grandson, Kenny McCormick. He also lost many nieces and nephews far before their time. 

Fred was a friend to all, but his legacy was the love for his family, and he left a piece of himself in each of our hearts that we will carry for the rest of our lives. We are forever thankful for the beautiful memories and the laughter we shared.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 21st, 2024, from 12 PM – 4 PM.

Fleet Reserve 659 Silver Strand Blvd, Imperial Beach, CA