James Chester Roles

A Tribute to
Mr. James C. Roles, III

James Chester Roles (Jamie, Jimmy) was born to Earl P. Roles (deceased) and Irene (Gale) Roles (deceased) on January 21, 1945 in Wilmington, Delaware. He was baptized in the Catholic faith at a young age and was a good Christian, very spiritual and believed deeply in God.

Jimmy grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Salesianum High School, an all-boys' Catholic school run by Jesuit priests. He was known as "Point 9" in school because of his quickness in Track and Field. He also excelled in Football as a Running Back. Jimmy was the anchor for his track team, and could be counted on to give his all on the football field. His football team won the State title in his junior year. They were unbeatable. Jamie was friendly and outgoing, and he had many friends who were proud to be in his company.

After graduation from high school Jimmy decided he needed to see the country; Wilmington was not big enough. He was offered a scholarship to McCook Junior College in McCook, Nebraska. His original intention was to spend a year at McCook and ultimately transition to the University of Nebraska, as they had offered him a scholarship as well. However, Mike Lude, the Colorado State University football coach, saw him play and was determined that he should play for the Rams. CSU offered Jimmy a full-ride scholarship and he took it. Jimmy played for the Rams for three years and was a standout, with write-ups about his play in major Colorado newspapers.

Jimmy married the love of his life, Patricia Ann (Lee) Roles in April of 1966. After graduation in 1967 with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology and a minor in History, Jimmy went to work for John Hancock Life Insurance Company. With his winning personality and staunch work ethic he moved up quickly in the company and was offered a managerial position in Los Angeles, California.

After a few years in Los Angeles, he decided to move his little family back to Colorado. By this time the Roles family numbered four – including James, Jr. (Jamie) and Stacy. Upon his return to Colorado, he went to work for Procter & Gamble in a sales position, in which he excelled. If you worked in a grocery store, you knew Jimmy Roles. He sold Duncan Hines cake mix, Jif peanut butter, Crisco shortening, and later Pringles, among other consumer goods. These were the products that he was known for. Always an honest salesman, he was known state-wide. From the Safeways and Albertsons to the little Mom and Pop stores on the Western Slope, Jimmy was well-known and highly respected to be honest and trustworthy among his clients. He won numerous awards with P&G as a top salesman. He retired from P&G and began a second career operating his own consulting firm, Point 9 Enterprises.
Simultaneously he became passionate in his support of the CSU Alumni. He worked tirelessly to create a scholarship program that was funded by the annual "Green and Gold Gala." He also served as President of the Alumni Association, and devoted many hours and miles up and down the road to Fort Collins all in the name of CSU, the green and gold. His presence was welcomed by everyone he came in contact with. He will be missed.
In addition to his two children, James C. Roles, Jr. (Jamie) of Denver, Colorado and Stacy L. Coghlan, née Roles of San Francisco, California. The joys of his life were his four grandchildren, Jordyn Roles, Sienna Roles, Leeanne Coghlan and James West Coghlan. He was so very proud of each of them, and would brag about them to anyone who would listen.

A romantic at heart, Jimmy was absolutely devoted to his wife Pat: they cruised together and travelled often to San Francisco to be with the kids. Jimmy never forgot to celebrate Pat with flowers and a card for her birthday, anniversary, or Mother's Day. He loved to fish and once went to Saskatchewan with his buddies to fish for a week, which was a trip he never forgot. Most Saturdays, Jimmy could be found on the football field watching his Rams play, or in his comfy chair watching them on TV with their dog Fenster on his lap. Sundays were devoted to the Broncos.

A great husband and father, a thoughtful and caring brother, and a constant friend, Jimmy was all of these things. He will be remembered for his smile and big personality. He had friends from many walks of life. He will be mourned and greatly missed by his wife Pat, his son Jamie, his daughter Stacy, his grandchildren, Jordyn, Sienna, LeeAnne, and West; sisters Joan (Roles) Miller, Earlene Roles, brothers Earl Roles of Wilmington, Delaware and Vernon Roles of Denver, Colorado; sister-in-law, Betti Lee, brothers-in-law Ruben Lee (Sandy), Ralph Lee (Kimberly), Michael Lee (Anne), and Darrin Lee (Kathryn), of Colorado and his mother-in-law, Clarice Lee of Centennial, Colorado. He also leaves a host of nieces and nephews and a wealth of friends. All will miss him dearly.

We love you "Jimmy," "Jamie," "James," "J.C.," "Jim" - Dad! We will never forget you.

In lieu of flowers donations would be appreciated to the Metro Denver Scholarship Fund at

https://advancing.colostate.edu/ALUMNI/METRODENVER.

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