James R. Roberts

James Roy Roberts passed away November 11, 2009 at the age of 69 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Funeral services for Roy Roberts will be held Saturday, November 14, 2009, at 2:30 p.m. at the United Church in Rowan with Pastor Nancy Hufmeister officiating.  Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Rowan.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, 2009, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street in Clarion and continue one hour prior to services at the church.

James Roy Roberts, the son of Rueben Roberts and Mollie (Baker) Roberts Johnson, was born on July 23,1940 in Falcon, Missouri. He attended Lebanon High School in Lebanon, Missouri and graduated in 1959. Roy enlisted to serve his country in 1962 and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves in 1965. In 1962, Roy was united in marriage to Betty Tudor. The couple settled in the Rowan area and raised five children; Paul (46), Dan (43), Tim (40), Rachel (38) and Deb (36). Although Roy and Betty later divorced, they remained friends.

Roy retired from Cargill after more than 28 years and was a avid outdoorsman and family man. Roy loved fishing, hunting and trapping and enjoyed many trips across Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Alabama and Canada with his family and friends.

Roy adored his seven grandchildren and great grandson and loved teaching them to fish, their help in his workshop, and many other special moments.

Left to cherish his memory are three sons: Paul Roberts (Tony Shrader) of Tucson, AZ, his sons Christophe’ (fiancé Tanya Heaberlin and children Cameron and Madison) and Travis Roberts of Belmond, Dan Roberts (girlfriend Kristie Lambert and sons Jesse and Dakota) of Rowan, his children Jason and Stacey Roberts of Forest City and son Tim Roberts of Rowan; two daughters Rachel(Tom) Luick and their children Hailey and Michael of Chicago, IL and Deb Hoover and daughter Madison of Forest City; his mother Mollie Johnson of Holland, MI; three brothers Donald (Jean) and Bob of Osceola, MO and Mike(Mary) of Holland, MI and three sisters Helen (Wayne) Gillespie of IN, Linda(David) Garcia or Orange Parks, FL and Joyce(Wesley) Wenzel of Holland, MI.

Preceding him in death is his father, Rueben, and brother, Arthur.

Ewing Funeral Home of Clarion was in charge of arrangements.

Garrett was a member of various AA & NA groups in the area.  Through his self-help and support programs he gained his skills of helping others with their needs. His interests were wide and included friends and family, artistry including drawing and writing music, and his self-taught keyboarding.

Survivors include his mother, Diane Shores of Dows; his father, Wade Roberts of Dows; brother, Eric Shores of Cedar Falls; maternal grandparents, Francis and Phyllis Schilling of Clarion, paternal grandparents, Rodger and Shar Roberts of Laurel; paternal grandparents, Gary and Michelle Minor of Goldfield; along with numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, other family members, friends, and his girlfriend Lakota Nichols.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandmother Virginia Minor.