Arnold Samuel Roth
February 9, 1937 -
November 23, 2006
Arnold Samuel Roth, most commonly known as Sam, a long time resident of Dawson Creek, BC passed away November 23, 2006 at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC at the age of 69.
Sam was born in Cold Lake, Alberta on February 9, 1937 to John and Eva Roth. He was the 13th child of 18.
Sam moved to Dawson Creek in 1956. He met and then married Ethel Sewell on February 9, 1957. Beverly was born on August 13, 1958, Randy on February 16, 1960, Joe on November 6, 1961, and Wendy on June 1, 1963. Ethel passed away in May 1975. Sam, Randy, Joe and Wendy moved to Burns Lake in August 1976. He bought half of a Pepsi Cola Franchise from his best friend Andy Offroy.
Sam met Edna Fisher through Andy Offroy in August 1976. They started dating in November 1976. Sam and Edna were married on May 21, 1977. Along came four more teenagers. Janelle born in 1959, Brian in 1960, Donna in 1962 and Kevin in 1963. They lived in a 12’ wide three bedroom trailer with six teenagers ages 13-16. They definitely had their struggles. They were known as the Brady Bunch. They later traded the trailer on a 14’ wide and still had five teenagers at home.
In April 1979 they moved back to Dawson Creek where Sam went into trucking. He hauled water, crude oil, gravel and logs. He started hauling logs to Louisiana Pacific the spring it opened and was one of the first trucks to haul into the mill. Sam sold Roth Trucking in 2000. He tried to retire, but soon was bored and started Piloting with Vern Lauder of Lonestar. The next fall he bought his own Pilot car. He really enjoyed Piloting.
Sam and Edna traveled quite a bit. They went to Nashville in 1991 with Andy and Anne Offroy, Australia in 2000 and across Canada in 2004. They also traveled to numerous family reunions and to visit the kids in Burns Lake.
Sam loved his family, he was so proud of each and every one. He spent a lot of time with his grand kids. Whether it was at gymkhana, motocross, soccer or baseball, he enjoyed it all. He was a wonderful Dad and Grandpa. The last family reunion was held in July 2006, with both Sam and Edna’s children and grandchildren in attendance in Burns Lake, BC.
While in Vancouver’s St. Paul’s hospital, the family had been called in. When the doctor came to speak to the family he could not believe how many family members were there. When he was leaving he turned to say, “He was either loved a lot or he had a lot of money!”
Sam was loved by all that knew him and will be missed by all!
Sam was pre-deceased by Ethel Roth, John and Eva Roth and numerous brothers and sisters. He is survived by Edna Roth, Beverly Wilson (Dennis), Randy Roth (Pam), Joe Roth (Yvonne), Wendy Ollenberger (Rod), Janelle Shields (Carl), Brian Fisher (Debbie), Donna Oldfield (Randy), Kevin Fisher (Irma), brothers Dick Roth (Louise), Harland Roth (Lillian), his half sister Evelyn Open, 28 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.