James Michael Roof, 61, Tracys Landing

Friday, June 20, 2008

He was born April 1, 1947, in Washington, D.C., to the late Philip L. Roof Sr. and Bertha Railsback Roof.

He graduated from Duval High School in Greenbelt in 1965.

He served for two and a half years in the U.S. Army as a transportation specialist at Ft. Eustis, Va., and on Okinawa Island, Japan, earning the rank of Specialist 5th Class.

He retired in April 2002 from the Office of the Architect of the U.S. Capitol, where he worked as a purchasing agent, after serving 31 years of federal service.

He was an avid bowler, sports fan and student of the Civil War.

He is survived by his mother, Bertha Railsback Roof of Tracys Landing; brother, Philip L. Roof and his wife Linda Shannon Roof of Port Republic; sister, Mary E. Roof of Tracys Landing; uncle, Michael M. Roof of Alexandria, Va.; aunts, Kristina M. Roof of Alexandria, Va., and Willadene P. Railsback of Hamilton, Mo.; nephews, Kevin Roof of Mechanicsville, Steven Roof of Bel Alton and Daniel Roof of Port Republic; a grandnephew; and five grandnieces.

Funeral services were Tuesday, June 17, at Rausch Funeral Home in Owings

The Rev. Charles Harrell officiated.

Interment will be in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Cheltenham.

Pallbearers were Kevin Roof, Steve Roof, Danny Roof, Mike Burke, Paul Krause and Jack Roof.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 445 Defense Highway, Annapolis, MD 21401, or to Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Church Street, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.