Larry Glen Roach of Emporia, died on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026, at the Chase County Health and Rehab in Cottonwood Falls. He was 74.
Larry was born on July 11, 1952, in Monett, Mo., the son of Charles and Leona Conner Roach. He married Linda Womelsdorf on September 2, 1973, in Welda. They later divorced. He then married Dori Cookson on Oct. 4, 1999, at the Sidetracks Saloon in Emporia.
Surviving family members include, wife, Dori Roach of Emporia; sons, Travis Roach of Colony, Chad (Cara) Roach of Humboldt, and Caleb (Kasey) Roach of Colony; daughter, Jaime (Shannon) Walker of Piqua; stepdaughters, Emily (Bryan) Jones of Emporia, Sarah Schlote of Emporia, and Rozanna Fessler-Nichols of Emporia; 21 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren with one on the way; sister, Marilyn (Edwin) Carlson of Cheyenne, Wyo.
He is preceded in death by his parents. Larry worked for over forty four and a half years at Vektek as a Machinist and later in Quality Control. Him and his wife Dori owned and operated the Sidetracks Saloon.
Larry graduated from Emporia High School in 1970. He then attended Emporia State University.
He enjoyed playing and coaching softball. Larry also enjoyed golfing. He participated in multiple leagues in pool, bowling and darts. He liked dancing. Larry also enjoyed hunting deer and quail with his brittney’s and he enjoyed fishing.
He got joy from riding his motorcycle and driving his 1955 Chevy Bel Air around town and taking it to Car Shows.
Larry was very ornery, quick witted, and fast to make a joke in any situation.
Thanksgiving was a yearly tradition at Larry and Dori’s house where everyone was welcome as family and friends. He always enjoyed going to the lake and camping as a family each July for his birthday celebration.
Cremation is planned with a Celebration of Life at 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, Emporia with the visitation from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. You can leave online condolences at www.robertsblue.com
