Ed Roith 1930 - 2026

In Memoriam: Ed Roith, KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge No. 1

The Kansas City Barbeque Society mourns the passing of Ed Roith, a charter member of KCBS, a former member of its Board of Directors, a competition barbeque pioneer, a KCBS Hall of Fame inductee, and the very first KCBS Certified Barbeque Judge.

Ed did not simply receive CBJ No. 1. He helped build the program itself.

Recognizing the need for standardized judging, Ed worked alongside Ardie Davis to help develop the original Certified Barbeque Judge curriculum and establish appearance, taste, and tenderness as the foundation of KCBS judging. He went on to teach thousands of Certified Barbeque Judges across the United States and internationally, while training many of the CBJ Instructors who would carry the program forward. His influence can still be found in nearly every KCBS judging area today.

Ed and his wife, Muriel, were also accomplished competitors, earning KCBS Team of the Year honors twice. He served KCBS in nearly every capacity imaginable, including cook, Certified Barbeque Judge, instructor, Contest Representative, and Board member. His induction into the KCBS Hall of Fame recognized a lifetime of service and an impact on KCBS that will continue for generations.

To generations of KCBS members, however, he will always be known by the title no one else can claim: Certified Barbeque Judge No. 1.

Services

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Visitation: 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Funeral service: 10:00 a.m.

Johnson County Funeral Chapel & Memorial Gardens
11200 Metcalf Ave.
Overland Park, Kansas

Interment: 12:30 p.m.

Leavenworth National Cemetery
Leavenworth, Kansas

Military honors will be presented.

Celebration of Life

A celebration of Ed’s life will follow at approximately 2:00 p.m. at:

Lenexa VFW
9550 Pflumm Road
Lenexa, Kansas

Barbeque provided by Jeff & Joy Stehney, owners, Joe’s Kansas City

Ed leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured simply by contests attended or classes taught. It lives on through the thousands of Certified Barbeque Judges he trained, the CBJ Instructors he mentored, and the standards he helped establish.

Our thoughts are with Ed’s family, friends, and the many members of the KCBS community whose lives he touched.

Rest in peace, Ed. Certified Barbeque Judge No. 1, always.