“He said never, ever in his lifetime did he think he would ever be standing on the 25th floor of a building in Frisco,” said Judy Roach of her husband. “It’s been an unbelievable growth.”
Community members in Frisco described his leadership as a foundation for the city’s rapid growth. Sam died on Dec. 30 at the age of 86 with his wife and children by his side, according to Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home.
He graduated from Frisco High School in 1953 as valedictorian and went on to serve the city in several capacities. He served four terms on the Frisco ISD board of trustees and 13 years on the Collin County Community College District board, according to a tribute from the Frisco Chamber of Commerce. His company, Sam Roach Business Center on Preston Road is the chamber's longest-serving member with more than 35 years.
When asked about her husband’s proudest accomplishments for the city, Judy said Sam pointed to helping recruit longtime City Manager George Purefoy to Frisco. In addition, Judy said Sam helped establish FISD's small-school model. That design allowed more students to enjoy extracurricular activities such as athletics and music, Judy said.
“He loved Frisco, and this was home,” Judy said. “We're still on this part of the land that they've had for three generations. ... He was such a big part of Frisco. He was a big part of making it what it is.”
Sam was also the Frisco Economic Development Corp.’s founding board president when the group was created in 1991. Current FEDC President Jason Ford said Sam made it a priority to help Frisco achieve its highest potential.
“From marketing Frisco in the early days to negotiating projects with employers and developers, he always wanted to make sure it was financially sustainable and a good fit for Frisco—today and tomorrow,” Ford said.
Ford said Sam helped provide opportunities for affordable office and warehouse space to low- and moderate-income entrepreneurs to start and grow their business at the Sam Roach Business Center.
“Numerous people improved their lives by creating new careers because of his generosity and vision,” Ford said.
Mayor Jeff Cheney said Sam’s fingerprints are all over the city.
“There’s no question in my mind that people like Sam Roach, setting that tone from the top, from the very beginning, is why the community moved in the direction that it did,” Cheney said.
The mayor praised Sam for his years of dedication to education and development. Cheney said he recalls several stories between Sam and former Mayor Bob Warren as they reminisced over a once-quaint town.
“He prided himself on being a man of his word—a handshake, humble kind of guy,” Cheney said. “I think those qualities really are what Frisco’s all about.”
