John Edward Roof was born at the Roof home near Thomas, OK to John T and Cora Roof on July 7th, 1927; and departed this earthly body on October 31st, 2016. In February of 1983, he professed his faith and was baptized at the First Christian Church in Thomas, Oklahoma.

Ed was born and raised, and lived his life in Thomas, Oklahoma. As a young man, he lived on the Roof farm and attended Jefferson Elementary School, southeast of Thomas; and then attended Thomas Junior and Senior High School. Ed grew up working on the farm with his four brothers and loved and participated in sports, particularly football. After high school, Ed played college football for Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for three years where he played running back and defensive back. His brother, Kenneth, was already signed to play at OSU when the OSU coach saw Ed throw a football in a football throw competition in Watonga and said "We need him on our team too". After OSU, Ed served in the Army for 2 years where he worked in communications and as a drill instructor. During his time in the Army, Ed participated in Army amateur boxing and compiled a 9 and 0 record. Out of the army, he then worked in Kansas for the Beech Aircraft Company for two years, whereupon he returned to Thomas and began farming and custom harvesting. During these years, Ed was a pilot and enjoyed flying his airplane. In 1958 he met and married the love of his life, Caroline Dalke, to whom he was married for 58 years. He custom harvested for 23 years, many of those years with his sons and nephews and friends and his brother Kenneth. He made life long relationships while harvesting and there are many stories to be told about those times and those years. Ed then worked at the American State Bank in Thomas as a loan officer for three years. He and his wife, Caroline, spent their last professional working years owning and operating The Roof Insurance Agency in Thomas, Oklahoma. In retirement, Ed and Caroline were able to travel to many locations, meet many interesting people, do many things together, and enjoy their life and many friends and family in Thomas.

Ed always made friends easily, and wherever he went it was not uncommon for him to make fast friends with someone, with whom he would then stay in touch across the years. Ed had friends of all ages, young and older alike. He loved children and talking to them. He always made them smile with his disappearing coin trick and then giving them the quarter or special coin he had just for that purpose. He liked to collect various coins and collected coins throughout his life. Ed loved watching OSU football games and rooting for the Cowboys and he many times returned to Stillwater to watch a game and perhaps meet with some of his old teammates. He loved cars and trading cars and looking at cars and talking about cars. He owned several "classic" automobiles during his life. He played harmonica in quite a unique style and many times played for others when they were at the Roof home. He enjoyed making many different types of wine and then giving away the wine to others.

John Edward Roof was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Owen, Kenneth, and R.L. and sister-in-laws Betty Faye Roof and sister-in-law Lydia "Susie" Roof. Survivors include his wife, Caroline; sons, Mitch, Todd, Jim, and Troy; brother Donald; sister-in-law Charlene Roof; sister-in-law Sunny Jo Roof; and numerous nieces and nephews.