George Fells Roesch Sr., known to many friends as “Pete,” departed this life on Aug. 7, 2018, at the age of 90.

Mr. Roesch was born in Vicksburg, on Nov. 7, 1927, to his parents, Charles Bruser Roesch, Sr. and Katie Kette Roesch. He was a 1945 graduate of St. Aloysius High School and earned his bachelors of science in accounting at Mississippi State University in 1949. He worked for The Southland Company and Delta Packing Company in Clarksdale before entering the U.S. Air Force in 1953, serving two years at Robbins AF Base. Upon returning he worked for Knox Glass in Jackson, then Mississippi Valley Portland Cement in Redwood. For much of his career, Mr. Roesch served as controller and treasurer with U.S. Rubber Reclaiming Company, later GSX Polymers, Inc. He also taught accounting at Hinds Junior College and worked as an accountant at Plaza Automotive.

Over the years, Mr. Roesch was a faithful and active member of St. Paul Catholic Church, serving on the Parish Council and Finance Committee. He also held key positions in many organizations, including the St. Aloysius High School – School Board, Vicksburg Jaycees, the Knights of Columbus and the Vicksburg Chamber of Commerce. In 1963 he married his wife and friend of 55 years, Shirley, and was a loving, devoted husband and father. He was also known to be an avid Bulldog fan.

Mr. Roesch is survived by his wife, Shirley Ann Reddoch Roesch of Madison, formerly of Vicksburg; his five children, Ann Claire Fordice (Dan) of Vicksburg, Mary Katherine “Kaki” Leyens of Austin, Texas, George Roesch, Jr. (Liesl) of Denver, Colorado, Donald Roesch (Ashley) of Vicksburg, and Helen Phillips (Gregg) of Bradenton, Florida; and his 11 grandchildren, Taylor Phillips (Katie), Nathan Fordice, Alaina Fordice, Erin Fordice, John David Phillips, Madison Leyens, Chandler Roesch, Brayden Roesch, Peter Roesch, Madelyn Roesch and Lawson Roesch: two great grandchildren, Sam and Hollis Phillips.

Mr. Roesch is predeceased by his parents, his brother Charles “Boolie” Roesch, his sister Mary Katherine Robbins, nephew Johnny Robbins and niece Starr Marsha Grice-Yount.

A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at St. Paul Catholic Church with the Rev. Tom Lalor officiating. Burial will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. A reception will follow at Farrell Hall and all are welcome to attend.

Visitation will be Friday, Aug. 10, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by a Rosary at Riles Funeral Home, and at the church from 10:30 a.m. until the hour of service.

Pallbearers will be Tony Franco, David Hosemann, Doyle Lee, Pat Maloney, Todd Prickett, Jeff Reddoch, Joseph Reddoch, Michael Reddoch, and Leo Reddoch. Honorary pallbearers are Clarence Derrington, Theo Dinkins, Joe Durst, Nick Lavecchia, Joe Loviza, Chad Sonnek and the Knights of Columbus Council 898 Vicksburg.

The family offers special thanks to the kind residents and staff at St. Catherine Village for welcoming George and Shirley in 2012, providing wonderful care, a spiritual environment and friendships.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request any memorial donations be made to St. Paul Catholic Church or Vicksburg Catholic School.