Don't know if ya'll heard or not. Baseball legend Preacher Roe passed away Sunday night. He was a lifelong resident of my hometown and was very loved and admired here. He was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers "Boys of Summer". I've included his obituary below.
Elwin Charles (Preacher) Roe passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, at age 92 from a long illness. Preacher was born Feb. 26, 1916, in Ash Flat, Ark., to Dr. Charles Edward Roe and Elizabeth (Ducker) Roe.
On Sept. 6, 1938, he was united in marriage to Mozee Vida Clay in Melbourne, Ark. They had two sons, Elwin Charles Roe Jr. and wife, Kay, Pineville, Mo., and Thomas Clay Roe and wife, Saundra, West Plains. He has seven grandchildren, Elwin Spicer Roe, Thomas Keith Roe, Winnie Dewitt, Chris Roe, Jenny Long, Jimmy Roe, Kelly Roe; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Preacher attended Harding University in Searcy, Ark., for four years where he played on the college baseball team. In 1938, he began his major league baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent 1939 through 1943 playing in the minor league in Columbus, Ohio, and Rochester, N.Y. He spent his winter months coaching and teaching history to high school students. In 1944, Roe rejoined the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Five years later Preacher played with what was to be known as “The Boys of Summer.” His career with the Brooklyn Dodgers spanned seven years and included five World Series appearances, with selections to five All Star games.
Preacher’s baseball records include highest winning percentage for a pitcher with 20 games, winning a game with the least amount of pitches, and having two game-winning streaks in one season. Preacher was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, Harding University Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame and the Dodger Hall of Fame.
After baseball, Preacher owned and operated Preacher Roe’s Supermarket for over 20 years. Upon retiring, he worked for the First National Bank and Centerre Banks of West Plains.
Preacher was an enthusiastic supporter of the West Plains area, being involved in many civic organizations. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of West Plains. He was instrumental in helping to start the American Legion Baseball and Little League teams.
Preacher was an avid golfer, playing up into his 90s. He loved telling stories and spending time with his family and friends.
Preacher was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Mozee; his parents; one sister, Elsie Fite; and five brothers, Creston, Wayman, Cecil, Roy, Glen.
He is survived by his sons and their wives; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Montine Moody and Wanda Roe; and special friend, Anna Garnett.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Elwin “Preacher” Roe to the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Golf Teams with checks made payable to MSU Foundation c/o Dr. Herb Lunday, or to Riverways Hospice.
Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Carter Funeral Home in West Plains. Funeral service for Elwin Charles Roe will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery in Howell County.
Elwin Charles (Preacher) Roe
Elwin Charles (Preacher) Roe passed away Sunday, Nov. 9, at age 92 from a long illness. Preacher was born Feb. 26, 1916, in Ash Flat, Ark., to Dr. Charles Edward Roe and Elizabeth (Ducker) Roe.
On Sept. 6, 1938, he was united in marriage to Mozee Vida Clay in Melbourne, Ark. They had two sons, Elwin Charles Roe Jr. and wife, Kay, Pineville, Mo., and Thomas Clay Roe and wife, Saundra, West Plains. He has seven grandchildren, Elwin Spicer Roe, Thomas Keith Roe, Winnie Dewitt, Chris Roe, Jenny Long, Jimmy Roe, Kelly Roe; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Preacher attended Harding University in Searcy, Ark., for four years where he played on the college baseball team. In 1938, he began his major league baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent 1939 through 1943 playing in the minor league in Columbus, Ohio, and Rochester, N.Y. He spent his winter months coaching and teaching history to high school students. In 1944, Roe rejoined the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Five years later Preacher played with what was to be known as “The Boys of Summer.” His career with the Brooklyn Dodgers spanned seven years and included five World Series appearances, with selections to five All Star games.
Preacher’s baseball records include highest winning percentage for a pitcher with 20 games, winning a game with the least amount of pitches, and having two game-winning streaks in one season. Preacher was elected to the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, Harding University Hall of Fame, NAIA Hall of Fame and the Dodger Hall of Fame.
After baseball, Preacher owned and operated Preacher Roe’s Supermarket for over 20 years. Upon retiring, he worked for the First National Bank and Centerre Banks of West Plains.
Preacher was an enthusiastic supporter of the West Plains area, being involved in many civic organizations. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church of West Plains. He was instrumental in helping to start the American Legion Baseball and Little League teams.
Preacher was an avid golfer, playing up into his 90s. He loved telling stories and spending time with his family and friends.
Preacher was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years, Mozee; his parents; one sister, Elsie Fite; and five brothers, Creston, Wayman, Cecil, Roy, Glen.
He is survived by his sons and their wives; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Montine Moody and Wanda Roe; and special friend, Anna Garnett.
Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Elwin “Preacher” Roe to the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Golf Teams with checks made payable to MSU Foundation c/o Dr. Herb Lunday, or to Riverways Hospice.
Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Carter Funeral Home in West Plains. Funeral service for Elwin Charles Roe will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at First United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Howell Memorial Park Cemetery in Howell County.
