Jack H. Roeda, 89 years old, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather of Raleigh, North Carolina went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 24, 2015.

He was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 21, 1926 to Jacob Roeda and Gertrude Zeilenga Roeda, who were first generation immigrants from the Netherlands. Jack graduated from Calvin College and the University of South Carolina with bachelor's and master's degrees in English literature. He also did graduate work in Christian missions at Columbia Bible College in Columbia, South Carolina. Later in life, he did post-graduate work at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. He was married to Rachel Lennon Roeda of Clarkton, North Carolina on August 26, 1953. They enjoyed 61 wonderful years of marriage, family life, and Christian ministry.

Jack served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He served as a missionary to South America and Mexico for over 25 years. He worked to further the cause of the Gospel by opening Christian bookstores and distributing Christian films throughout Latin America. He also worked for the Back to God Hour’s Spanish radio ministry, La Hora de la Reforma for 11 years. In retirement, Jack started a Christian video business that took him around the country and down through Latin America. Like John Wesley who rode his horse over 250,000 miles all over England for the sake of the gospel, Jack drove a VW bookmobile many, many miles up and down the coastline of Chile every other month, and later drove his Suburban all over the country of Mexico delivering books to a chain of Christian bookstores he helped establish and support. In retirement, he traveled many miles distributing Christian videos to bookstores all throughout the Americas. His deep love for Christ motivated him to devote his life to Christian ministry and kept his pedal-to-the-metal in the service of his Lord.

Above everything else, Jack loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was baptized as an infant in the Christian Reformed Church, and was a member of this church for most of his life. During the last 10 years, he became a member of Christ Covenant Church of Raleigh.

Jack was a kind and loving husband, father, and grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was very much loved by his children and grandchildren for his easy-going manner, his sense of humor, and his willingness to listen. His colleagues respected him, and he often used his diplomatic skills to help resolve conflict and bring reconciliation.

Jack is survived by his wife Rachel; his daughter Marie; his sons Dan, Steve, and Drew; by his brother Cornelius Roeda, his sister Shirley Van Bruggen, and by 14 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his twin sons, Timothy and Thomas; his parents, Jacob and Gertrude; his sister, Geraldine, and his daughter Cheryl Joy.

Rachel and family thank his doctor, Craig Warner, for his support, and care during Jack’s illness. Jack very much enjoyed this relationship and admired Dr. Warner’s outstanding rapport with his patients. The family also warmly thanks Transitions Lifecare/Hospice, for making his last days as comfortable and pain free as possible. Special thanks to Joan, Adam, and Patti, who were so attentive to my husband’s and our father's care. The family would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the church families of Christ Covenant Church and Bayleaf Baptist Church, both of Raleigh, who provided wonderful meals, tender care and kind friendship in this difficult time; special thanks to Jack’s pastor, Rev. Tom Mercer who provided spiritual support and comfort when needed most.

In place of flowers, memorials can be sent to Moving Works at www.movingworks.org or The Back to God Hour International at backtogod.net/