Thursday, May 5, 2022
Beloved husband of 62 years of Mary Roth; loving father of Tina (Ron) Gegg, Ann (Dan) Okenfuss, Mike (Trish Basler) Roth and Joan (Paul) Jett; dear grandfather of Kyle (Tori), Kirsten, Clay Gegg; Dylan and Brielle Okenfuss; Hannah (Jamieson) Crane; Mackenzie, Allison, Cassidy, Haley Roth; Brennan, Carson, Dorian, Addison Jett; dearest great grandfather of Troy, Raelyn and Kahlia.
For family and friends of Wally, he was affectionately known as Gump. Gump had a heart of gold and his passion always centered around his family and especially his 14 grandchildren. During his youth years in Ste. Genevieve, he excelled in many sports including baseball, basketball, and football. Upon graduation in 1951 from Valle Catholic High School in Ste. Genevieve, he joined the US Navy and was later transferred to the US Marines, serving four years. Upon returning home, Gump began coaching at Valle schools. His love for coaching continued throughout his children and grandchildren’s sporting years. His last coaching experience was at the age of 70 with his grandson’s basketball team in St. Louis. Gump loved sports all of his life.
He was also very civic minded, as he was an Alderman in Ste. Genevieve for over 20 years and a board member of Valle Schools. He was also one of the founding fathers of the Ste. Genevieve Yanks Baseball Club. He was employed by Citizens Electric company for over 32 years and retired in 1996. He had a strong Catholic faith and God was always the center of his life. Gump had many outside interests including real estate, farming, and high school officiating. He was inducted into the Southeast Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. He was dedicated to his family and always cared for his elderly mother. His first project after retirement was raising funds to build a new community park in Valle Springs, also known as “Wally World”. Gump was always generous with his time and commitment to his family, friends, parish, and community.
Retirement years were spent living in South St. Louis County near his children and grandchildren. His retirement hobbies included playing poker, spending many hours selling poppies for the VFW, babysitting many grandchildren, and visiting the YMCA and the VA. He enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and dear sister, Mary Ann Phillips and her husband, Albert. He loved cruise excursions and bus trips with many old and new friends. Gump certainly enjoyed his very active life with the love of his life, Mary.
Gump’s last three years were spent at Avalon Memory Care after experiencing challenges associated with Lewy Body Dementia. His loving wife provided support, comfort, and love on a daily basis.
The family requests donations in Mr. Roth’s name to: Valle Athletic Club, 40 N. 4th St., Ste. Genevieve, MO 63670
Visitation Details:
May 15, 2022
2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Kutis Funeral Home
5255 Lemay Ferry Rd
St. Louis MO 63129
Funeral Mass:
May 16, 2022
11:00 am
St. Margaret Mary Alacoque Catholic Church
4900 Ringer Rd
St. Louis MO 63129
Procession to Jefferson Barracks Memorial Cemetery will follow Mass.
Sorry for your loss. Although I never met him, Gump sounds like quite a man! May he rest in peace with the knowledge of the love of his family and friends.
May He Rest In Peace !
So sorry! My sincere condolences to all of you!!
It was such a pleasure to have know Gump, he was such a character.
Love and prayers
Sorry for your loss, Gump was one of the first of many great people to welcome me to Valle Catholic football in the mid 90’s. What a great man!
So sorry for your loss, Mary, and that suffered by your family. I remember the many times Gump came to pick you up at our class lunch meetings, he always had something cheerful to say. I know you will miss him, even though the last few years were not the most enjoyable, there’s still a big hole when someone you loved for so long is gone. You’re in my prayers, God bless you all!
So sorry for your loss Mary and family. It was a pleasure being able to know and take care of Wally. He always said that Elena and I were his adopted grandchildren. Wally sure knew how to light up a room. Your family is in my prayers.
Condolences to your family. Sounds like he be a wonderful life!
Gump was the first coach I had and what a great role model for anyone who played for him. He was tough but fair .He taught me to always do my best, to never give up, and to be as gracious in losing as you would when winning. To Mary and family you have my deepest sympathy. Thank you for sharing this man with us.
My prayers are for you and your family at this time. Although not around one another a lot, Darlene and I always enjoyed our time when we were together. I look so forward to see everyone in the future as God promises every lasting life. He was a wonderful person to have had the privilege to be a part of my life and again I am praying for you all and you are in my thoughts.