Roscoe died on August 31, 2017, after a yearlong battle with cancer. Born in Mariposa, California, in January 1953, Roscoe attended Mariposa County Elementary and High Schools. He graduated from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, with a degree in Forest Management.

Roscoe began a life-long career in the fire service working on the Sierra N.F. at the Jerseydale Fire Station. He jumped at Redding from 1975-77, attaining his 50 Jump Pin in 1977. Roscoe received his professional foresters license from the State of California and worked for California State Lands Department for approximately two and a half years.

In 1980 he started a career with the California Division of Forestry (now CAL FIRE) working in Eureka, King City, Fresno (Region) and Mariposa. Roscoe retired from CAL FIRE as a Division Chief in 2011.