Dr. Jack B. Roof, Jr. : Obituary

Obituaries

Dr. Jack B. Roof, Jr., age 68, of Mineral Bluff, GA, a longtime family physician, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 in the Northside Hospital in Atlanta, GA. Jonathan Buist Roof, Jr. was born on Friday, February 13, 1948 in Petersburg, VA to Mary Scott Roof and Jack Buist Roof. He was the middle child of two siblings, older sister, Mary Catherine and younger brother James Scott Roof.

“Jacky” Roof’s early childhood was spent in Mount Pleasant, SC and in Petersburg, VA before the family moved to Decatur, GA in 1960. The home on Harrington Drive was his parent’s final residence. Jack Senior (“Boontch”) died in 1992 and Mary (“Memama”) died in 2012. Jack, Jr. attended Druid Hills High School and graduated June 6, 1966. He then attended Georgia State University and graduated in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Dr. Roof earned his M.D. degree from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta and went on to complete his three year Family Practice Residency training at the Medical Center in Columbus, GA in 1977.

Committed to providing health care in a rural setting and wanting to stay in Georgia, Dr. Roof much preferred a location in the mountains. So it was that he opened his solo practice at Fannin Regional Hospital on July 18, 1977 one month after the hospital opened its doors. Dr. Roof’s practice included OB, infant, child, adolescent, adult, and geriatric care. At the close of his OB practice in 2003, he had proudly delivered nearly 2000 babies.

He continuously felt it was a blessing and privilege to have been able to become a physician and was honored and humbled for patients and families to entrust him with their lives. Many a person heard Dr. Roof brag that Blue Ridge was an ideal place to live and to raise a family while Atlanta and Chattanooga were fine to visit! He appreciated the rural settings that offered so many healthy outdoor activities.

Dr. Roof was preceded in death by his father, Jack Buist Roof, Sr.; and his mother Mary whose last 3 years of her life were spent in the loving care of the nursing home in Blue Ridge.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Sherry P. Roof of Mineral Bluff; three children, Ian Christopher Roof (Kate) of Lawrenceville, GA, Erin Roof Staten (Solomon) of Woodstock, GA, and Jonathan Lucas Roof (Miranda) of Mineral Bluff, GA; sister, Cathy Waters (Mitch, deceased) of Chilhowie, VA; brother, Jim Roof (Pam) of Duluth, GA; 8 grandchildren, Austin, Abby, Elliott, Annie, Marley, Solomon Jr., Kahn, and Lila; and several loving nephews and niece.

Funeral services will be held Friday, September 30, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. from the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill with Rev. Matthew McDaniel officiating. Music will be by Ed Vest. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Bill Prather, Jim Ezell, Ray Tidman, Stan Trigg, John Stepp, Frank Russell, and Dwight Kay. Honorary pallbearers will be Jody Davis, Jerry Bowers, John Greenwald, Will Taylor, Bill Whaley, Leon Brotherton, Al Crews, Jerry Tammen, Richard Phillips, Tim Mercier, Rich Greiner, and Kenney Atkins. In lieu of flowers, per Dr. Roof’s request, please make donations to West Fannin Elementary c/o WFE PTO at United Community Bank. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.akinsfuneralhome.com. Akins Funeral Home of Blue Ridge is in charge of arrangements.

1 Comment

  1. KAREN YEAGER August 24, 2017 at 11:59 am

    To Dr. Roof’s family we send our condolences. Dr. Roof was a true blessing during our time of residency in Blue Ridge. He and I often joked about who was born first on Feb 13, 1948 and how our lives were so close. He was in Mount Pleasant, SC. I grew up in Summerville, SC. He went to the MCGA and we lived in Augusta for 10 years. He ended up in Blue Ridge as did we. I always called him old man and he would refer to me as old lady. It was a great relationship to have with one’s DR.
    I know he was such a blessing to all his patients and never was a negative word heard about him around the community. May God grant you all comfort and strength as you deal with the world without Dr. Roof.

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