of Harrison, AR

December 13, 1954 - March 15, 2026

Danny Roth had a life motto he lived out every second of his 71 years of life: ''Work when you work. Play when you play.'' And if you knew him, you knew he was exceptionally good at both working and playing. But the playing was always his favorite!

Danny was born to Jim and Joey Roth on December 13, 1954 in Fayetteville. Just days after his birth, his Dad and his Razorback Football teammates headed to Dallas to play in the Cotton Bowl. It is safe to say Danny's lifelong obsession with sports started at birth.

After a few years in Fayetteville, the Roths moved to Little Rock and then to Newport News, Virginia. But thankfully their strong ties to Arkansas reeled them back home. When Danny was 12 years old his family moved to Pine Bluff. He loved Pine Bluff and was incredibly proud to spend formative years of his childhood as a Pine Bluff Zebra. It is because of his time in Pine Bluff that Danny developed a deep appreciation for diversity, and seeing the beauty and value of friends and classmates who were different than him.

In 1971, the Roth family, now a family of five, moved from Pine Bluff to Harrison. It was challenging for Danny to move to a new town at the start of his junior year of high school. But his parents promised him there would be good friends and good basketball in Harrison, and they were right.

Harrison was a perfect playground for Danny and his two brothers, David and Boo. Their time in Harrison was consumed with Goblin athletics and the Buffalo National River.

After graduating as a Harrison Goblin, he attended the University of Arkansas. In 1973, he played on the Razorback Basketball team. He loved basketball, but realized that was not his future. It was then he transitioned his focus to the Phi Delt house and building lifelong relationships.

Danny was made for the 1970s. A time when fun was a bit reckless and rules were almost nonexistent. And for the rest of his life, rules were merely suggestions. He had a blast in Fayetteville and on his beloved Dickson Street. But even as a college student, he worked when he worked and played when he played.

After college, he moved back to Harrison to chase a career in real estate rather than working at Harrison House, his parents' clothing store. Harrison House is what brought the Roths to Harrison. But, more importantly, Harrison House is what brought Tammie to Danny. The most advantageous thing about Danny Roth's life was the moment his Mom introduced him to their new Harrison House employee, Tammie Moore from Marshall.
It did not take Danny long to know Tammie was the one. They were married at First Christian Church in Harrison in the summer of 1980.

For the next two decades their lives revolved around their two boys, Zack and Will. Danny was always the coach. Tammie was always the team Mom. The two of them provided everything they could for their boys, their boys' classmates and their boys' teammates.

Danny spent as much of his life as possible outdoors. He was happiest when he was in a canoe on the Buffalo National River, his secret fishing holes on Crooked Creek, the lakes of Canada, four-wheeler rides deep in the Ozark Mountains, in the woods hunting turkeys, or on a golf course. Nature always seemed like a way for him to connect with the Creator he believed in.

Appropriately, nature was also the backbone of Danny's 50-year real estate career with United Country Real Estate. He sold plenty of homes in Harrison, but that was not his passion. There was nothing he loved more than selling farms and big pieces of land in his beloved Ozarks. It was an ideal occupation for this hyperactive and insanely competitive person, all the while allowing him to spend countless days outside in the hills and mountains of North Arkansas.

Danny was fortunate to have two lifelong best friends that just so happened to be his brothers. The Roth boys shared a bond that was never shaken. They were all three Goblins, Razorbacks, Phi Delts, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. They had their unique characteristics, but nothing came close to separating their love for each other. They were brothers who were friends, and friends who were brothers.

Another constant in his life was sports. There probably was never a day in his life where sports weren't involved in some capacity. If you had to list his top passions in life, there is no doubt the Harrison Goblins, the Arkansas Razorbacks and the St Louis Cardinals were on that list.

Another proud layer of Danny's life was his faith. He was extremely comfortable in his three beloved churches: First Christian Church in Harrison, Gilbert Christian Church and Central United Methodist in Fayetteville. Three places that mirrored his beliefs that a church should be rooted in love and welcoming to all. Faith to him was about casting a wider net, not a smaller one.

At age 58, Danny entered into what was, without a doubt, his favorite chapter. He excelled at being a dad, but he was made for being a grandparent. Being a grandparent allowed him to focus on all the fun. A role that was made for Danny Roth. The greatest gift he gave his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews was his time. His uninterrupted, fully devoted time. If you ever wanted to play catch in the backyard, play a board game or play a card game, Danny's answer was always yes.

For 45 years, Danny and Tammie were a perfect pair. Danny liked to push the envelope, but Tammie always knew just the right moment to step in. It was a delicate balance they mastered very well. Tammie was Danny's wife, but she also held the occasional role as supervisor. They complemented each other so incredibly well.

Danny's favorite word was fun. He was always the last to leave the party. He was the first one on the dance floor. He cheered the loudest at the game. He was the one who found a way to have fun…and then have a little more fun… and then a little bit more. As his mother once said, ''Danny was the kid who thought he was an adult and the adult who thought he was a kid.''

Yes, he was a lifelong social chair. But it would be short-sighted to define him as someone who was only made for the parties and the good times. He knew when it was time to buckle up and get serious or sentimental.

The last two years of Danny's life were a cancer roller coaster. But throughout every diagnosis, every doctor's appointment and every surgery two things never wavered: his attitude and his belief. Cancer is the reason for his loss of life, but cancer did not win.

Danny is preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Joey Roth. He is survived by a humongous family that will eagerly carry out Danny's lifelong zest for life. His immediate family includes Tammie Roth; Zack, Kelsey, Aspen, Levi and Ellis Roth; Will Roth; David and Theresa Roth; Dylan and Bethany Roth; Tyler Roth; Boo and Beverly Roth; Jay, Savanna and Elsie Lou Roth; Luke and Meredith Roth. In addition, countless aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Danny Roth Memorial Fund benefiting Consolidated Youth of Harrison. These generous donations will make sure there is no financial burden for any family whose child wants to play sports or needs equipment. Gifts can be sent to: Harrison Consolidated Youth / 113 Rush Avenue / Suite 101 / Harrison, AR 72601.

A celebration will be held Thursday, March 19 at 10:00am at First Christian Church in Harrison.

Danny Roth maximized every second of his 26,007 days on Earth. And he would want nothing more than for you to do the same. And remember: Work when you work. Play when you play!

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Christeson Funeral Home
519 North Spring Street
Harrison, AR  72601
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com