James G. Roche: key obituary facts
Is James G. Roche dead? Yes. James G. Roche died on August 4, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: James G. Roche's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was James G. Roche known for?
He was an United States Navy officer.
More about James G. Roche
Born: 16 December 1939.
Place of birth: Brooklyn.
Gender: male.
Occupation: military officer.
Education: Harvard Business School, Harvard University, Illinois Institute of Technology, Naval Postgraduate School.
Awards: Legionnaire of Legion of Merit.
Also known as: James Gerard Roche.
James G.
Roche, the American politician who served as secretary of the Air Force, died on August 4, 2026, at age 86. Born James Gerard Roche in Brooklyn, New York, he spent 23 years in the United States Navy before retiring as a captain in 1983.
His naval service included work on the State Department’s policy planning staff, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Defense Department’s Office of Net Assessment. Roche later held senior executive posts at Northrop Grumman before becoming the 20th secretary of the Air Force, a position he held from 2001 to 2005.