Jon Biddle Roth

Jon Biddle Roth, age 73, died on Friday, September 24th, 2010 after a lengthy illness. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late John Francis Roth and Melanie Wilkinson Roth. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Catherine ""Kitsie"" Barkley Roth and his three children: Jon Biddle Roth, Jr. (Marie-Catherine Gyorvary), Gary Barkley Roth (Lisa Johnson), and Elizabeth ""Lisa"" Hardie Roth. His treasured grandchildren include: Christopher Wilkinson Roth, Amy Arnoult Roth, Léah Gyorvary Roth, Benjamin Hopkins Roth, Jonathan Molnar Roth, and Henderson Barkley Roth ""Henry""; his sister, Brenda Roth Coleman; nieces, CHarlotte Coleman Landry, Laura Coleman McFerrin, and Jennifer Coleman Kern (Tommy); and 5 great-nieces and nephews.
Jon attended Tulane University on a ROTC Scholarship, where he received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He received his Master of Business Administration degree from the US Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California. In 1979 he was accredited as a CPA.
Commissioned in the US Navy in 1959, he retired as a Commander after 20 years of service. While in the Navy, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal and the Navy Commendation Medal. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he returned to New Orleans to begin his second career as a CPA. For the last 20 years he worked for NASA at the Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.
During the course of Jon's tenure at NASA, he served as Special Assistant to the Director, Procurement Officer and finally, Exchange Operations Manager. Through his efforts in these various capacities, he was awarded NASA's Exceptional Service Medal in 2009. He retired from NASA later that year.
Jon was a loving husband, a dedicated father and grandfather, and a loyal friend. He was a member of the Boston Club, the Stratford Club, the Pass Christian Yacht Club, the Riff Raff Club, and several carnival organizations.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4pm Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at Holy Family Catholic Church, on Menge Avenue (1 block south of Derrek, past road detour), Pass Christian, Mississippi. Visitation will precede the mass from 3pm to the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Seelos Center, 2030 Constance Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70130 or to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements by RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, Pass Christian.