James Roth Obituary

James Albert Roth, also known as Jim, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2025, at the age of 85. He was born on February 3, 1940, in his parents’ home in Providence, Utah, the third of six children born to Albert Frederick Roth and Afton Rigby.

James attended Providence Elementary and graduated from South Cache High School in 1958. Shortly after, he proudly served his country for four years in the United States Navy, serving on the USS Blue in the Pacific Ocean.

Following his military service, James had a long and dedicated career in telecommunications. He began as a lineman with Mountain Bell and later worked with AT&T as a PBX phone system installer and maintainer, before running his own company, Roth’s Phone Connections. It was while installing a phone in a college dormitory at Utah State University that he met his future wife, Julia Camile Funk—a chance encounter that would shape the rest of his life.

James and Julia were married on March 18, 1966, in the Logan Utah Temple. Together they raised a large and loving family, welcoming nine children: Brian (Chennelle), Daniel (Katherine), Karen Higbee (Ryan), Susan Smith (DeShawn), Travis (Jennifer), Michael (Arianna), Andrea Harrison (Josh), Marianne Warren, and David (Melissa). Later in life, James married Marilyn Mitton on August 11, 1990, later sealed together in the Ogden Utah Temple on May 22, 1991, and embraced her children—Tuck (Kari), Shauna Liston (Bruce), Brett (Angie), Kipp, Tye (Shauna), and Sheila Paradise (Allan)—as his own.

James valued hard work. He spent hundreds of hours remodeling and improving the family home in Providence, caring for his mother, and tending to a massive garden. He enjoyed traveling with Marilyn and friends to resorts around the West, golfing and rooting for his favorite teams.

James was a devoted and active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings throughout his life, including in the Young Men organization, Elders Quorum, and notably as the finance clerk in the Providence First Ward for over 20 years. Though his military service precluded him from serving a mission as a young man, he later fulfilled that desire by serving a mission with Marilyn at the Church Employment Center in Orlando, Florida.

James is survived by his children and stepchildren, 50 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren +1 coming. He is also survived by his siblings Pat (Rowan), Dale, Gordon (Karen), and Ann (Steve), who will remember him with love and admiration.

James was a devoted and caring husband, caring for his loving wives, Julia and Marilyn as they each battled cancer. He was also preceded in death by his parents; his sister Joyce and her husband Paul; his sister-in-law Marsha (Dale); and one son-in-law, DeShawn.

We’d like to thank the wonderful people at McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden for their care.

Services will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 2024 S 1475 W in Syracuse, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:30 – 10:30 am. The funeral will begin at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Providence City Cemetery at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages you to select a charity of your choice and provide a generous donation.

*Click here to view the service via Zoom*