The physical earthly presence of John Roberts ended Thursday evening, March 6, 2014. He passed away at home with family, just as he had wished, having been released into hospice care from the Heartland Memorial Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri.
John was the second son born to Elzada Lucille (Johnston) and Clifton George Roberts. On the Crystal Springs Ranch in Dekalb County, he entered this world on December 17, 1924, at the tender weight of 2.5 pounds. Life began wrapped in gauze and cotton, placed in a shoebox, put in a warming oven, and then living on to a full life as the tallest sibling, accomplishing eighty-nine years.
Throughout the first eight years of his schooling, he attended Santa Rosa, Cameron, Starfield, and the Dallas Center schools. His high school years were spent in Jameson High School, graduating in 1941.
Prior to volunteering for the Air Force, he worked for his Uncle Faris Roberts, then moved to Kansas City, working at the Longview Dairy Farm. Once he turned eighteen, he was inducted into the Air Force. At the onset he was put into clerical school, serving two years in that capacity before volunteering as a paratrooper. That training led him through Scotland, England, Belgium, and eventually France. He was selected as an Airborne Infantry Rifleman, and achieved the rank of corporal. In August of 1945, he was shipped back to the United States just as the Japanese surrendered; he would not be deployed for the invasion of Japan. He recalled the ticker tape parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City, marching the entire way. He remained in the 82nd Airborne Division. John reenlisted in 1949 and was called again to active duty in August of 1950, serving in the Military Police unit in Korea.
Following World War II, John lived in Jameson, Missouri, doing farm work, and being employed by the Embro Popcorn Company. In early 1947, along with his older brother, Bob, he left for California's Long Beach/Seal Beach area. Both were hired by the Ford Company. Later that year John met Mildred Black Stegan, marrying on June 10, 1948, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. For a short time they purchased and ran the "Roberts' Cafe" in Jameson, before returning to California where Ford reinstated him. To this union was born one son on June 5, 1953, John Leslie Roberts. Of his son, John said, "He could play anything that had strings on it." His life was unfortunately cut short on May 28, 1985, and is buried in Bend, Oregon.
John's career at Ford began in the stock department. His brothers Bob, George, Byron and Dave would join him, but only John remained, eventually becoming a Utility Foreman, Grade 6. After retiring from Ford in 1978, John moved back to the Pattonsburg area, having purchased his Grandfather's place from his Uncle Faris Roberts' estate. Vivian (Candelaria) Roberts and John were married on November 26, 1991, in Maysville, Missouri. They filled their days raising milo, corn, soybeans, and hay, along with running calves, breeding stock and horses. John was member of the American Legion, and was a supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John spent his final years in their new home on that original farm. His brother, Bob, would ask, "Well, what are you doing, John?" His reply was always the same, "Well, anything that Viv can't!" That wit and humor will be sorely missed. Whenever we see a new Ford F150, we will think of him, and whenever we see a paperback western, he will come to mind.
His last breaths were taken on that grandfather's homestead at eighty-nine years of age. He was preceded in death by his son, John Leslie; four brothers, Bob, Charles, Byron, and David; two sisters, Norma and Colleen, and a grandson Brandon Wayne Roberts. Leaving to mourn him are his wife, Vivian of the home; a brother, George of Phoenix, Arizona; four stepsons, Shane (Becci) Roberts of Jameson, MO, Cheyenne (Sherry) Roberts of rural Pattonsburg, Clifton (Eileen) Roberts of Evansdale, Iowa, and Davie (Denise) Roberts of Garland, Texas along with their families. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, along with a brother-in-law, Bob Kenney, and a sister-in-law Sharon Reed. A host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews along with countless friends and acquaintances mourn his passing.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Bram Funeral Home in Maysville, Missouri, on Wednesday, March12; visitation at 10:00 A.M., funeral at 11:00. A small graveside service for the family will follow at the Hopewell Baptist Cemetery.
John was the second son born to Elzada Lucille (Johnston) and Clifton George Roberts. On the Crystal Springs Ranch in Dekalb County, he entered this world on December 17, 1924, at the tender weight of 2.5 pounds. Life began wrapped in gauze and cotton, placed in a shoebox, put in a warming oven, and then living on to a full life as the tallest sibling, accomplishing eighty-nine years.
Throughout the first eight years of his schooling, he attended Santa Rosa, Cameron, Starfield, and the Dallas Center schools. His high school years were spent in Jameson High School, graduating in 1941.
Prior to volunteering for the Air Force, he worked for his Uncle Faris Roberts, then moved to Kansas City, working at the Longview Dairy Farm. Once he turned eighteen, he was inducted into the Air Force. At the onset he was put into clerical school, serving two years in that capacity before volunteering as a paratrooper. That training led him through Scotland, England, Belgium, and eventually France. He was selected as an Airborne Infantry Rifleman, and achieved the rank of corporal. In August of 1945, he was shipped back to the United States just as the Japanese surrendered; he would not be deployed for the invasion of Japan. He recalled the ticker tape parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City, marching the entire way. He remained in the 82nd Airborne Division. John reenlisted in 1949 and was called again to active duty in August of 1950, serving in the Military Police unit in Korea.
Following World War II, John lived in Jameson, Missouri, doing farm work, and being employed by the Embro Popcorn Company. In early 1947, along with his older brother, Bob, he left for California's Long Beach/Seal Beach area. Both were hired by the Ford Company. Later that year John met Mildred Black Stegan, marrying on June 10, 1948, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. For a short time they purchased and ran the "Roberts' Cafe" in Jameson, before returning to California where Ford reinstated him. To this union was born one son on June 5, 1953, John Leslie Roberts. Of his son, John said, "He could play anything that had strings on it." His life was unfortunately cut short on May 28, 1985, and is buried in Bend, Oregon.
John's career at Ford began in the stock department. His brothers Bob, George, Byron and Dave would join him, but only John remained, eventually becoming a Utility Foreman, Grade 6. After retiring from Ford in 1978, John moved back to the Pattonsburg area, having purchased his Grandfather's place from his Uncle Faris Roberts' estate. Vivian (Candelaria) Roberts and John were married on November 26, 1991, in Maysville, Missouri. They filled their days raising milo, corn, soybeans, and hay, along with running calves, breeding stock and horses. John was member of the American Legion, and was a supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John spent his final years in their new home on that original farm. His brother, Bob, would ask, "Well, what are you doing, John?" His reply was always the same, "Well, anything that Viv can't!" That wit and humor will be sorely missed. Whenever we see a new Ford F150, we will think of him, and whenever we see a paperback western, he will come to mind.
His last breaths were taken on that grandfather's homestead at eighty-nine years of age. He was preceded in death by his son, John Leslie; four brothers, Bob, Charles, Byron, and David; two sisters, Norma and Colleen, and a grandson Brandon Wayne Roberts. Leaving to mourn him are his wife, Vivian of the home; a brother, George of Phoenix, Arizona; four stepsons, Shane (Becci) Roberts of Jameson, MO, Cheyenne (Sherry) Roberts of rural Pattonsburg, Clifton (Eileen) Roberts of Evansdale, Iowa, and Davie (Denise) Roberts of Garland, Texas along with their families. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, along with a brother-in-law, Bob Kenney, and a sister-in-law Sharon Reed. A host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews along with countless friends and acquaintances mourn his passing.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Bram Funeral Home in Maysville, Missouri, on Wednesday, March12; visitation at 10:00 A.M., funeral at 11:00. A small graveside service for the family will follow at the Hopewell Baptist Cemetery.
The physical earthly presence of John Roberts ended Thursday evening, March 6, 2014. He passed away at home with family, just as he had wished, having been released into hospice care from the Heartland Memorial Medical Center in St. Joseph, Missouri.
John was the second son born to Elzada Lucille (Johnston) and Clifton George Roberts. On the Crystal Springs Ranch in Dekalb County, he entered this world on December 17, 1924, at the tender weight of 2.5 pounds. Life began wrapped in gauze and cotton, placed in a shoebox, put in a warming oven, and then living on to a full life as the tallest sibling, accomplishing eighty-nine years.
Throughout the first eight years of his schooling, he attended Santa Rosa, Cameron, Starfield, and the Dallas Center schools. His high school years were spent in Jameson High School, graduating in 1941.
Prior to volunteering for the Air Force, he worked for his Uncle Faris Roberts, then moved to Kansas City, working at the Longview Dairy Farm. Once he turned eighteen, he was inducted into the Air Force. At the onset he was put into clerical school, serving two years in that capacity before volunteering as a paratrooper. That training led him through Scotland, England, Belgium, and eventually France. He was selected as an Airborne Infantry Rifleman, and achieved the rank of corporal. In August of 1945, he was shipped back to the United States just as the Japanese surrendered; he would not be deployed for the invasion of Japan. He recalled the ticker tape parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City, marching the entire way. He remained in the 82nd Airborne Division. John reenlisted in 1949 and was called again to active duty in August of 1950, serving in the Military Police unit in Korea.
Following World War II, John lived in Jameson, Missouri, doing farm work, and being employed by the Embro Popcorn Company. In early 1947, along with his older brother, Bob, he left for California's Long Beach/Seal Beach area. Both were hired by the Ford Company. Later that year John met Mildred Black Stegan, marrying on June 10, 1948, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. For a short time they purchased and ran the "Roberts' Cafe" in Jameson, before returning to California where Ford reinstated him. To this union was born one son on June 5, 1953, John Leslie Roberts. Of his son, John said, "He could play anything that had strings on it." His life was unfortunately cut short on May 28, 1985, and is buried in Bend, Oregon.
John's career at Ford began in the stock department. His brothers Bob, George, Byron and Dave would join him, but only John remained, eventually becoming a Utility Foreman, Grade 6. After retiring from Ford in 1978, John moved back to the Pattonsburg area, having purchased his Grandfather's place from his Uncle Faris Roberts' estate. Vivian (Candelaria) Roberts and John were married on November 26, 1991, in Maysville, Missouri. They filled their days raising milo, corn, soybeans, and hay, along with running calves, breeding stock and horses. John was member of the American Legion, and was a supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John spent his final years in their new home on that original farm. His brother, Bob, would ask, "Well, what are you doing, John?" His reply was always the same, "Well, anything that Viv can't!" That wit and humor will be sorely missed. Whenever we see a new Ford F150, we will think of him, and whenever we see a paperback western, he will come to mind.
His last breaths were taken on that grandfather's homestead at eighty-nine years of age. He was preceded in death by his son, John Leslie; four brothers, Bob, Charles, Byron, and David; two sisters, Norma and Colleen, and a grandson Brandon Wayne Roberts. Leaving to mourn him are his wife, Vivian of the home; a brother, George of Phoenix, Arizona; four stepsons, Shane (Becci) Roberts of Jameson, MO, Cheyenne (Sherry) Roberts of rural Pattonsburg, Clifton (Eileen) Roberts of Evansdale, Iowa, and Davie (Denise) Roberts of Garland, Texas along with their families. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, along with a brother-in-law, Bob Kenney, and a sister-in-law Sharon Reed. A host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews along with countless friends and acquaintances mourn his passing.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Bram Funeral Home in Maysville, Missouri, on Wednesday, March12; visitation at 10:00 A.M., funeral at 11:00. A small graveside service for the family will follow at the Hopewell Baptist Cemetery.
John was the second son born to Elzada Lucille (Johnston) and Clifton George Roberts. On the Crystal Springs Ranch in Dekalb County, he entered this world on December 17, 1924, at the tender weight of 2.5 pounds. Life began wrapped in gauze and cotton, placed in a shoebox, put in a warming oven, and then living on to a full life as the tallest sibling, accomplishing eighty-nine years.
Throughout the first eight years of his schooling, he attended Santa Rosa, Cameron, Starfield, and the Dallas Center schools. His high school years were spent in Jameson High School, graduating in 1941.
Prior to volunteering for the Air Force, he worked for his Uncle Faris Roberts, then moved to Kansas City, working at the Longview Dairy Farm. Once he turned eighteen, he was inducted into the Air Force. At the onset he was put into clerical school, serving two years in that capacity before volunteering as a paratrooper. That training led him through Scotland, England, Belgium, and eventually France. He was selected as an Airborne Infantry Rifleman, and achieved the rank of corporal. In August of 1945, he was shipped back to the United States just as the Japanese surrendered; he would not be deployed for the invasion of Japan. He recalled the ticker tape parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City, marching the entire way. He remained in the 82nd Airborne Division. John reenlisted in 1949 and was called again to active duty in August of 1950, serving in the Military Police unit in Korea.
Following World War II, John lived in Jameson, Missouri, doing farm work, and being employed by the Embro Popcorn Company. In early 1947, along with his older brother, Bob, he left for California's Long Beach/Seal Beach area. Both were hired by the Ford Company. Later that year John met Mildred Black Stegan, marrying on June 10, 1948, in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. For a short time they purchased and ran the "Roberts' Cafe" in Jameson, before returning to California where Ford reinstated him. To this union was born one son on June 5, 1953, John Leslie Roberts. Of his son, John said, "He could play anything that had strings on it." His life was unfortunately cut short on May 28, 1985, and is buried in Bend, Oregon.
John's career at Ford began in the stock department. His brothers Bob, George, Byron and Dave would join him, but only John remained, eventually becoming a Utility Foreman, Grade 6. After retiring from Ford in 1978, John moved back to the Pattonsburg area, having purchased his Grandfather's place from his Uncle Faris Roberts' estate. Vivian (Candelaria) Roberts and John were married on November 26, 1991, in Maysville, Missouri. They filled their days raising milo, corn, soybeans, and hay, along with running calves, breeding stock and horses. John was member of the American Legion, and was a supporter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
John spent his final years in their new home on that original farm. His brother, Bob, would ask, "Well, what are you doing, John?" His reply was always the same, "Well, anything that Viv can't!" That wit and humor will be sorely missed. Whenever we see a new Ford F150, we will think of him, and whenever we see a paperback western, he will come to mind.
His last breaths were taken on that grandfather's homestead at eighty-nine years of age. He was preceded in death by his son, John Leslie; four brothers, Bob, Charles, Byron, and David; two sisters, Norma and Colleen, and a grandson Brandon Wayne Roberts. Leaving to mourn him are his wife, Vivian of the home; a brother, George of Phoenix, Arizona; four stepsons, Shane (Becci) Roberts of Jameson, MO, Cheyenne (Sherry) Roberts of rural Pattonsburg, Clifton (Eileen) Roberts of Evansdale, Iowa, and Davie (Denise) Roberts of Garland, Texas along with their families. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, along with a brother-in-law, Bob Kenney, and a sister-in-law Sharon Reed. A host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews along with countless friends and acquaintances mourn his passing.
Visitation and funeral services will be held at the Bram Funeral Home in Maysville, Missouri, on Wednesday, March12; visitation at 10:00 A.M., funeral at 11:00. A small graveside service for the family will follow at the Hopewell Baptist Cemetery.
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