Released by Southland Funeral Home …
Mr. Hugh Varnum Roche, 81, of Panama City, FL, passed away on Wednesday, March 25, 2020 in Tampa, FL. He was born on April 23, 1938 in Vernon, FL to William Howard Roche and Lillian Varnum Roche. Hugh was the former Vice President & General Manager at WMBB-TV as well as KDBC-TV, KNOE-TV and KTVE-TV. Hugh was very involved in community affairs. He was a former member of the Board of Trustees of Gulf Coast Community College and was former President of the Foundation Board at Gulf Coast State College. He served as Chairman for the Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross and Military Affairs Committee. He was the recipient of the Lauren Merriam Award, Rotary-Paul Harris Fellow, the Jefferson Award and the BRAVE Award. Hugh was involved in community activities in the several cities he lived in and was also very active in his church choir and other church concerns. He was the President of the Symphony Board in Monroe, LA, President of the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters, served on the Board of Directors for Florida Association of Broadcasters and Bay Medical Center. He was a choir member at St. Andrew United Methodist Church and served as Chairman of the Administrative Board. Hugh had a beautiful voice and often sang in church services, weddings, funerals and community musicals and activities. Music was a large part of his life.
Hugh is survived by his wife, Carla McKinney Roche; three daughters, Michelle Roche Pippin (Craig), Robin Roche Flournoy (Shannon) and Stephanie Roche Weber (Bill); grandchildren, Carla and Tony Santiny, Evan, Sean and Drew Flournoy, Lily and Liam Weber; great-grandchildren, Haivyn Grace Cockrell and Luke Santiny.
A Celebration of Life will be held later date.