Daily Democrat, Clinton MO, Aug 29 2006 - Howard Ellis Roberts, 89, Clinton, MO a lifetime area resident, passed away Tuesday morning, August 8, 2006, at his home on the farm with his three daughters by his side from metastasized colon cancer diagnosed one year ago. Funeral services will be Monday, August 14, 2006 at the Vansant-Mills Home in Clinton, MO. Burial will be in Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, MO. Howard "Pa" was born December 22, 1916 in his parent's rural home in the Delmar Community of Henry County, MO. He was the son of George and Mary Alvena "Vena" Roberts. On November 18, 1936 he was united in marriage to Dorothy Estella Meredith, the daughter of William Dangerfield and Stella (Harris) Meredith. Howard and Dorothy were blessed to have celebrated sixty-six years of marriage before her death in April 2003. The marriage produced three daughters, Patricia "Gayle", Barbara "Lorraine" and Myra Elaine. Howard was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton and in this past year he has cherished attending Sunday services and visiting with the Pastor and church members. For over eighty years Howard with the assistance of Dorothy was nationally known for the training, breeding and showing of fine American Saddlebred horses, their stable is called The Roberts Stable. While spending long hours in the saddle horse business, Howard farmed and raised cattle, hogs and chickens on the family farm and on other farms he acquired thru the years. Howard's father, George, started The Roberts Stable when he became involved with racing mules and followed them with the purchase of some saddle horse stock. When he bought an American Saddlebred stud, Arletha's Easter Cloud, from Longview farm, it launched a highly successful business in breeding, training and showing American Saddlebreds that continued with Howard. At one time Howard and Dorothy owned 54 head of horses in addition to customers' horses that were being board and trained. Howard made his first trip to the Missouri State Fair Horse Show in 1924 at the age of eight. He recalled that it was a big event for him. The Roberts family rode and drove their show horses from home to a rail siding on the MK&T Railroad. Once there, they loaded on a train and rode it to Sedalia. The family camped on the fair ground during the horse show, showed their stock and then returned back home again by train. Howard did not show a horse on his first trip but he remembers helping to feed, water and run errands. He had not missed a state fair horse show since his first one eighty one years ago until this year due to his health, though he would remind you that there were two years during World War II when the fair did not open. There have been as many as 24 head of horses in the Roberts Stable stalls at the State Fair. The Missouri State Fair honored Howard in 1994 for seventy years of participation and he had his wife and family by his side in the show arena. Howard had made plans to attend the state fair this Wednesday to watch his colt show and be able to say he had attended the fair for 82 years. Unfortunately, he realized on Tuesday afternoon that he wasn't going to be able to make the trip. As a final hurrah, on Wednesday morning the colt won the Open Filly Weanling Class and later in the afternoon the Amateur Weanling Filly Class with Myra leading the filly and Lorraine tailing. In the end, Howard didn't make 82 years as an on-site participate at the fair, but he did make 82 years as a winning fair exhibitor. At the age of thirteen, Howard began showing horses. It was not an easy time to make a start at anything. In 1930 his parents received a Christmas card from Herbert Woolf, Woolf Brothers Clothing, Kansas City with a verse that said: Crop burned up-market gone to hell, now isn't that a hot time, to wish a fellow well, but good times are coming in 1931, business'll hum- horses'll run, and if I didn't say a Merry Christmas, I'd be a son of a gun! Very much like the weather, horse and farming business right now. A little cash would go a long ways in the early thirties and Howard broke a mare name Joan McDonald for a vocational agriculture project. She won the 5 gaited junior class in 1934. He sold the mare for $1,000 and it was enough to buy a new Chevrolet car and have $140 left to spend for other things. The stud, Arletha's Easter Cloud, was siring champions. Easter Vanity was one that several people remember. Howard showed him all over the State of Missouri, winning many championships against strong competitors. Easter Serenade was an Easter Cloud progeny that won a world five gaited championship. The sale of Easter Serenade provided the money for building the stable and training barn on the home farm. For several years when he was not busy showing, Howard judged horse shows in Missouri and surrounding states. Somewhere in his busy schedule he always seemed to find time or took time to share his experience and expertise with those just starting out or already in the horse business. Howard also had a good story or joke to tell those around him whether they were family orientated or not. He never passed up a large glass of ice tea and a good meal while visiting with family and friends. He had become a big fan of the Missouri Tiger Men's Basketball team and was always cheering them on in front of the TV when they played the Jayhawks. Howard leaves behind his sister, Nadine Stewart, Urich, MO and a sister-in-law, Edna Johnson of Clinton. Three daughters: Gayle and her husband Don Johnson of Columbia; Lorraine and husband Hobart Jacobs of Belton and Myra and husband Terry Finks of Clinton. Five grandchildren: Barbara Johnson of Columbia; Scott and wife Sherrie Johnson of Colleyville, Texas; Pam (Jacobs) and husband Brett Wilson of Gardner, Kansas; Mike Jacobs of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, and Eric Finks of Clinton; and seven great-grandchildren, Sara Johnson, Omaha, Nebraska; Christopher and Brooke Johnson of Colleyville; Texas, Mary and Amanda Wilson of Gardner, Kansas; Alexis and Courtney Jacobs of Kansas City, Missouri and several nieces and nephew. Howard was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.