John “Jack” A. Roth, III, 75, of Wescosville, died June 4, 2026, at home with his wife Lynne by his side. They were married 44 years. Born on Jan. 19, 1950, to John A. Roth, Jr. and Doris M. (Herbert) Roth, he was the oldest of six children, including five sisters.

Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 26, doctors gave him just five years to live.

What some might have viewed as a “death sentence,” he saw as a challenge. It was “game on” for the fight of his life — and what a life he lived.

He served as co-captain of Parkland High School’s 1966 undefeated football team, was named the 1967 Athlete of the Year and in 2016, was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.

In 1993 he was inducted into the Lehigh Valley Football Hall of Fame.

Following graduation, he enrolled in Bordentown Military Institute, in preparation for West Point Military Academy.

Upon entering the USMA in 1969, his athleticism, leadership, attitude, and determination made an immediate and long-lasting impact on West Point’s football program.

In 1971 he captained an Army team that had won just one game the previous season. Under his command, the Cadets rallied to a 6-4 record that culminated with a 24-23 victory over Navy.

A three-year varsity letterman, he was named to The Associated Press All East team as a defensive end.

He was also the recipient of the William C. Whitehead Jr. Award, for being the highest-ranking football letterman in the General Order of Merit.

After graduation, he returned to West Point for a three-year assignment, serving as the junior varsity head coach before transitioning to varsity assistant coach.

In 1980 following his departure from Army’s coaching staff, he embarked on a 30-year career in human resources management, beginning at Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., and retiring in 2012 from Cabot Supermetals. For many years, he served as the Emcee of the annual Lehigh Valley Scholar-Athlete Banquet.

In addition to his wife; he is survived by children Brian (Catherine) and Matt (Maggie); grandchildren Anna, Laura and Katie; sisters Sue Roth; Betsy (Jim) Frank; Jane (Michael) Bedell; Sally Derr; Patricia Ratchford; brother-in-law Russ (Donna) Leibensperger; sister-in-law Anne Leibensperger; niece/goddaughter, Amanda (Joe) DeMarco and their baby Julian; nephew/godson, Adam (Cory) Leibensperger; nieces Kristin (Rob) Yost and Stacey (Eric) Kucharik; eight other great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers-in-law, Bruce Derr and Dennis Rice.

Donations may be made to the National Center for Healthy Veterans, in support of its “tiny houses,” a residential village that exists to fill a need that has been unmet for many decades to support and empower veterans to transition to society.

Contributions to help build a tiny home in his memory may be made at secure.qgiv.com/for/nationalcenterforhealthyveterans/ under “please direct my support” selecting the drop-down box and scrolling to “Tiny Home in Memory of Jack Roth USMA ’72.”

A Celebration of Life will be held 11 a.m. July 12 at Heintzelman — Stephens Funeral Home, P. C., 274 N. Krocks Road, Allentown. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m.

Online condolences may be made offered at www.heintzelmanstephens.com.