American Legion Post 204 is flying a special flag the month of May in honor of a veteran of the U.S. Airforce who made Seminole his hometown in the 1970s.

This month’s flag, which flies in Veterans Park north of the Seminole Municipal Building, honors Jim Roche, who passed away in October 2021.

Roche was born in Parsons, Kansas, in 1933 to Thomas Raymond Roche and Myrtle Cora (Carper) Roche. His father was a machinist for the Katy Railroad and his mother owned a local cafe. He was the second youngest of eight children, having six brothers and two sisters.

Growing up in Parsons, Roche attended and graduated from St. Patrick’s school where he excelled at baseball and football. After graduation, he attended Fort Hayes State College, where he also played football.

On June 26, 1954, he married the love of his life, Jeri (Carson) Roche. They had five children: Randy, Kerry, Cathy, Susan, and Theresa.

Roche followed the family tradition of service by joining the Air Force, and he and his family spent time in Florida, Missouri, Washington State, and England. He helped deploy the new Thor missile system in the 1950s.

After leaving the Air Force, Roche became a courier for the Atomic Energy Commission, where he transported sensitive cargo. One time he and his colleagues had local law enforcement called on them when a gas station owner mistook them for mobsters due to their dark suits, dark cars, and shoulder holsters.

Roche eventually went to work for the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company, which took him to Garber, Oklahoma and eventually to Seminole, where he remained for the rest of his life.

The local American Legion post honors a different deceased veteran each month, part of a national effort to bring awareness to local fallen service members. All veterans that have passed away are eligible to be honored. To nominate someone, contact Post Commander Carl Odom at (405) 380-4615.