Thomas J. Roush

Thomas J. Roush, age 78, of Salineville Passed away at home on Saturday, January 7, 2017, after a lengthy illness.  The son of the late James and Alice (Jennings) Roush, he was born in East Liverpool on October 18, 1938 and with the exception of his time in the service, he had lived his entire life here and attended David Anderson High School in Lisbon.
Tom was never one to shy away from his country or his community.  He had served in the U.S. Navy from 1957 -1967. While in the U.S. Navy, Tom was on board the USS Sabalo, commissioned the USS Sam Rayburn, and graduated from Navy submarine school and Navy nuclear power school, achieving the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class.   Tom transferred from the Navy, and he joined the U.S. Army and served from 1967 to 1978.  After eleven years in the Army and serving two tours in Vietnam, receiving two bronze stars and a purple heart, Tom retired as a Chief Warrant Officer.
After serving his country for 20 years, he came home and taught Mechanics/Environmental Technologies at the Columbiana County Career Center retiring in 2000.  He was a Future Farmers of American advisor for 22 years.  Tom served two terms on the Southern Local School Board, was a member of the Hog and Lamb Committee for the Columbiana County Fair, was a former Firefighter, Captain, and Trustee of the Highlandtown Fire Department from 1978 to 2004, being awarded “Firefighter of the Year” twice and served one term as a Wayne Twp. Trustee.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Carole (Whitaker) Roush July of 2003.  They were married March 28, 1959.
He is survived by three sons; Mark Roush of Stafford, Virginia, Tim Roush and his wife, Jean, of Wellsville, and Thomas “Chip” Roush and his wife, Lindsey, of Salineville. He is also survived by one brother, Ralph Roush of East Palestine, 10 grandchildren; Brittany, Breanna, Alan, Vinny, Erin, Tyler, Jacob, Carlene, Veronica and Lexi and 5 great grandchildren; Emily, Addison, Heidi, Mackenzie, and Noah.
Services will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, January 11, 2017, at the Calcutta Chapel of the Martin MacLean Altmeyer Funeral Homes with Fred O. May officiating. Burial will follow in the Highlandtown Cemetery where the Tri-State Burial Group will accord military honors.
Friends may call at the Calcutta funeral home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.  Local Fire Departments will pay their respects with a walk through at 7:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, it was Tom’s wishes that his friends would donate their time or money to their local volunteer fire departments.
Friends may sign the guest book, send condolences or view this obituary online at www.martinmacleanaltmeyer.com.