Gerald John “Jerry” Roth, 90, of Fairfax, Va., died Aug. 30, 2024. Mr. Roth joined the U.S. Air Force after high school. He served in Germany, Norway and bases stateside as a meteorologist. While serving at Cocoa Beach Air Station, he conducted meteorological testing for the Mercury Space Program. After his service, he returned to the Festus-Crystal City area and attended college. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1965. He was recruited by the U.S. Department of Defense and the family moved to Fairfax, Va. He was recognized with many awards, including the department’s highest civilian commendation for his contributions and achievements. After 34 years of service, it was noted that he was considered “the United States’ and NATO’s, foremost authority on Soviet military weaponry.” Mr. Roth was an avid fan of basketball, having played on the Crystal City High School championship team and later coached youth sports. In the early 1950s, he coached Bill Bradley, former New York Knicks Hall of Fame player and New Jersey Senator, in the Crystal City youth league. He was a talented woodworker and all-around handyman. He enjoyed woodworking, drawing, painting, riding boats on the Occoquan River, playing with his grandkids and traveling the world with his wife, Doris. He is remembered as a man of integrity with a brilliant sense of humor. Born March 20, 1934, in Crystal City, he was the third of four sons of the late Katherine “Katie” and Emanuel “Manuel” Roth, the former owners of Roth Automotive in Crystal City.
He was preceded in death by his wife and high school sweetheart: Doris Buckner Roth whom he married in 1954.
He is survived by his three children: Mark (Joyce) Roth of Oakton, Va., Debra (Russ) Bouslog of Bolivia, N.C., and Denise (Dave) Sullivan of Oak Hill, Va.; six grandchildren: Bryan Bouslog of Redwood City, Calif., Jennifer Bouslog of Pittsburgh, Pa., Katherine Whalen (Drew), of Beaufort S.C., Michael Sullivan of Herndon, Va., Jason Roth (Ashley) of Woodstock, Ga., and Kelly “Ann” Roth of Oakton, Va.; and three great-grandchildren: Nathan Roth and Abby Kate Roth, both of Woodstock, Ga., and Grady Ray Whalen of Beaufort, S.C.
He also was preceded in death by three brothers: Emanuel “Junior” Roth, Richard “Bud” Roth and Eric Roth.
Funeral Services and burial were held Sept. 7 at Fairfax City Cemetery in Virginia. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at alz.org or to Heartland Hospice at heartlandhospice.com.