Stevensville – Paul was a man of immense spirit and profound strength, a boisterous personality who lived loudly and loved unconditionally. Born on September 19, 1969, to Paul and Roxanne Roush in Columbus, Ohio, Paul spent his early years in Ohio, Arizona, Colorado, California, Indiana and Georgia.
A proud Army Veteran, he served with distinction during Operation Desert Storm, carrying a steadfast sense of duty and loyalty that would define every facet of his life. (SPC, E-4, Army Service ribbon, Overseas Service ribbon, Army Good Conduct medal, National Defense Service ribbon, Southwest Asia Service medal w/two Bronze Service stars, M16 rifle (marksman)).
Upon receiving his Honorable Discharge, Paul found his true home and the love of his life in Montana. He went on to become a proud graduate of the University of Montana, earning his Associate’s degree in business (1998). His time in Missoula further solidified his deep connection to the State of Montana.
He was a fierce advocate for the Montana hunter and a tireless champion for the right to public lands. Paul believed deeply that every Montanan should have the ability to enjoy our state and federal lands, and he dedicated much of his energy to ensuring those gates remained open for future generations.
In the world of archery, Paul was a pillar of the community. He was at the forefront of promoting the sport in Montana, spending countless hours patiently fixing bows while listening to the inevitable exaggerated stories of fellow archers. His generosity was legendary; he was the type of person who would literally put his own bow down during a competition to fix a competitor’s equipment, wanting only to give them their best shot to win. He lived to see his friends succeed and would do anything in his power to help them get there.
Despite his many interests, Paul’s proudest accomplishments were his roles as a husband and a father. He married the love of his life, April Harberts-Roush, on July 7, 2012. Together, they shared a rare and beautiful relationship where each felt entirely comfortable being their authentic self. This authenticity—and the spirited communication that came with it—often provided great entertainment for anyone nearby, especially when it came time to park the camper at the Annual Archery Bear Shoot. Paul and April were avid travelers, but South Africa held a special place in their hearts. It was there they found their greatest peace and built a cherished, lifelong friendship. Paul never met a stranger; no matter where he traveled or whose space he entered, he always found a friend.
Paul is survived by his devoted wife, April, and his children—his greatest accomplishments—Caleb Melzer-Roush (daughter-in-law Kate) and Anika Melzer-Roush that he shares with his first wife, Nanette Melzer. His heart and family grew even larger with his bonus children, Beau Hemry and Isabel Hemry, whom he loved as his own. Paul is survived by his parents and his sisters, Chellene, Shana, Carrie (Jon), Collene (Robert), Amber, and Kendal (Primo), whom he loved deeply and held close to his heart throughout his life. He is also survived by his in-laws, Dennis and Darlene Harberts, whom he cherished and loved as his own. He will be deeply missed by his sister-in-law, Ember (Bryan), his brother-in-law, Travis, and his many nieces and nephews, who brought him great joy and held a special place in his heart. While Paul wore many titles, none brought him more absolute joy than “Papaw” to his grandson, James; being a grandfather was a role he embraced with every bit of his big, boisterous heart.
Paul leaves behind a legacy felt by his military family, his archery family, and every outdoorsman who had the privilege of knowing him. Paul was a man hard to describe because he was so many things to so many people: a patriot, a mentor, a fixed point of strength, and a man who loved his family above all else. The world was undoubtedly a better place with him in it, and the void left by his absence is a testament to the profound impact he had on the lives of those who knew and loved him.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Karl Sorenson and the many oncology nurses at the Montana Cancer Center at Providence St. Patrick Hospital, as well as Dr. Ju and Dr. Safyan at Fred Hutch Cancer Center in Seattle, for the compassionate care, support, and kindness they provided throughout this journey.
A Celebration of life will be held on August 29 at 11:00 a.m. at Zootown Church, 3623 Brooks St, Missoula Montana.
Memorial donations may be made in care of the Paul Roush Benefit Account at Farmers State Bank. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.whitesittfuneralhome.com.
Leave a Reply