Joe Frank Roberts

Joe Frank Roberts, age 92, passed away on October 28, 2020, from natural causes. Joe was born to Hubert Dennis (“H.D.”) and Clara Ritta Roberts on June 30, 1928. Joe was born in Wortham, Texas, and grew up in New London, Texas.  The family endured the loss of his older sister, Norma Wayne Roberts, as a result of the tragic New London school explosion in 1937.  He graduated from London High School and Kilgore College and was also a member of the Kilgore Ranger Band, where he played the cornet. 

In December of 1948, Joe married the love of his life, Lorene Morris.  At that time, the State of Texas required Joe, as a 20-year-old male, to have written approval from his parents for the marriage.  Knowing what a wonderful marriage it would be, that approval was given without hesitation.  (Lorene, as a 19-year-old female, was not required to have such approval although that approval certainly would have been given as well.)  It was a match made in heaven, ending after almost 72 years only upon Joe’s death.

Joe’s favorite pastime was spending time with family.  Whether the current activity of his children and grandchildren was cheerleading, soccer, dance, football, baseball, track, or you-name-it, that became his interest as well.  He cherished his marriage to Lorene, doted on his daughters, and loved his sons-in-law as if they were his own.  His many nieces and nephews knew him as “Uncle Sonny”, with certain ones referring to him as the Energizer Bunny for his uncanny ability to handle hardships.  Thanks to his first grandchild, Joe ultimately became known, not only to his grandchildren but to all who knew him, as “Papa Joe” – a name he thoroughly loved. 

Joe spent the majority of his career in the oil field business in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Houston, Texas, working for Jones & Laughlin Supply Company, Fluor Oilfield Supply, and Wilson Supply.  Joe was known to his employers as hardworking and trustworthy and to his co-workers, as someone, they could count on to pitch in wherever needed, but also as someone who could make them laugh.  After retirement, Joe and Lorene moved to Plano to be closer to grandchildren, later moving to Missouri City – again, to be with family.

Joe was very active in his church, serving as a youth worker, deacon, elder, and Sunday School Superintendent at various times.  He was a caring and unselfish husband, father, grandfather, and friend with an infectious smile.  He is preceded in death by his parents, H.D. and Clara Roberts, his siblings, Norma Wayne Roberts, Albert Dennis Roberts, Dorothy Marie Taylor, Martha Sue Van Wormer, Roy Leon Roberts, Jerry Kathleen Garlick, and Judith Elaine Roberts.  He is survived by, and will be greatly missed by, his wife of 71 years, Lorene, his daughters and sons-in-law, Sheri and Mike Demarest and Susan and Robert Thomas, his grandchildren Megan Howell and husband Jeron, Lindsey Krauland and husband Daniel, David Thomas and wife Jessica, Jack Thomas and wife Rachel, his great-grandchildren Kensington Howell, Tenley Howell, Madeleine Krauland, Cash Thomas, Brock Thomas, and Tommie Thomas, numerous nieces and nephews, and his caregiver Debbie Brooks.    

A family funeral service and burial will take place in Overton, Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the London Museum, P.O. Box 477, New London, Texas, 75682.

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