Ronnie Roche

A cowboy rides away... Ronnie Ellis Roche, 64, peacefully rode into Heaven’s sunset with his family surrounding him on September 17, 2024, in Plymouth, Utah. He was born on August 22, 1960 to LaRee Ann Hess and Franklin Delano Roche in Ogden, Utah.

Ronnie was an astounding example of a family man. He worked hard and loved harder. His life surrounded those he loved with his whole heart and dedication. As he would say, Family is Everything. Not one day went by that he didn’t do all he could to show his love to all who were blessed to call him Friend, Son, Brother, Uncle, Husband, Dad, and Grandpa. He loved his wife, children, and the rest of the family, but adored his grandkids the most! He could be found holding every baby, pinching every cheek, tugging every ponytail, or giving any treat he could to his grandbabies. He would get so excited every time the grandkids showed up to see him and enjoyed every minute telling silly stories, jokes, or just flat out being goofy just to entertain them. They all looked forward to being spoiled and teased by Grandpa Roche.

Every day was filled with excitement when Ronnie was around. He loved to find joy in the moment. You could find him bareback riding in his younger years, bowling, playing spoons with family, horseback riding in the mountains, hunting, attending the yearly Plymouth Rodeo, or dancing. He was an amazing western swing dancer and loved taking his wife out to dance and teaching his daughter how to swing. He enjoyed going on weekend adventures to see family, go to a concert, or head out to Wendover and Jackpot. If he wasn’t on an adventure, he was home listening to Country, Old Country music, and Elvis. His most recent and happiest times were spending the summers fishing at Devil’s Creek. He looked forward to sitting by the lake and having family and friends join him. He couldn’t wait to go camping with those he loved. Many great memories were made at that Lake! 

He will always be remembered as the greatest prankster. His favorite thing to do was pick on everyone around him. He would start water or food fights at family gatherings or pull your hair as he walked by. Everyone learned to keep their distance if they didn’t want him to pinch them or mess up their hair. He had an interesting talent of making up random stories on a whim. He had every single grandkid convinced that there was a lion or some other jungle animal living in the field behind his house or that he got his legs blown off in Vietnam (he never went to Vietnam) and had them sewn back on; but it made his legs a little shorter. You could talk to him and not know if he was just being full of it or if he was being serious. He looked at the beauty in life and made sure others saw it too.

Though he played hard, he worked harder. He was a man of many talents. No matter the job he held, he gave his all and was a dedicated worker. He held positions such as factory worker at the Sugar Factory in Garland, Utah, farmer, shuttle program at Thiokol, owned his own landscaping business that he loved working with his kids, and most recently, truck driver with Great Basin Industrial. No matter the job, he did it well and was happy to provide his family with an amazing life.

Ronnie was the middle child of 9 children, then gained 7 step-siblings. Born in Ogden, he moved to different places throughout the years, from South Jordan, where he attended Bingham High School, to Plymouth, Utah. Plymouth is where he called home and moved there permanently, where he loved sitting on the deck looking over the valley.

Ronnie met the love of his life, Paula Nielson, at the Sugar Factory where they became friends. Years later, he married her on September 26, 1982 in Elko, Nevada, and after 42 years, they were still sweethearts. Not one day went by that they weren’t sitting in their chairs side by side. They had a love that others only dreamed of. They raised 3, then 3 more children together, who he taught to be hard-working, strong, stubborn, and respectful people. One thing his kids will always remember is that they can get through anything in life with the values he taught them.

Ronnie is survived by his soulmate, Paula Nielson Roche; Children, Spring (Justin) Wilson, Brian (Brandi) Roche, Tyler Roche, Haven Roche, Breanna Roche, and Starlee Roche; Step-father, Larry Eisenhour; Grandchildren, Kamree (Larry) Jepperson, Hazen Wilson, Deakon Wilson, Blayton Roche, Quaitlee Roche, Rendor Wilson, Berleigh Roche, Lyrek Wilson, Lejend Wilson, Raif Roche, and Reeso Chacon; his first great-grandbaby will soon be born; siblings, Rick (Sue) Roche, Marla (Dick) Blankenship, Becky (Keith) Jones, Roxie (Tom) Beus, Jamie (Richard) Peterson, Penny (Leon) Johnson, Debbie (Scott) Baker, Nicole Roche, Kenny, Cheryl, Scott, Darren, Bret, Sue, and Mike; brother-in-laws, RonDell Nielson and Terry Nielson;and many nieces and nephews that he loved dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank DeLoy Roche, LaRee Eisenhour, step-mother, Carolyn Roche; daughter, Stephanie Roche; son-in-law, Justin Wilson; and granddaughter, Truce Wilson.

The family would like to give their heart-felt thanks to Community Nursing Services, especially his nurse, Joslynn, for the loving care provided so he could remain home as he wished.

Funeral Services will be held at the Belmont Church, in Riverside Utah, on Monday, September 23, 2024, at 12:00pm. A viewing will precede the service from 10:00am-11:30am at the same location. Interment in the Plymouth Cemetery.

The service will be livestreamed and may be accessed below.