John W Roberts

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September 29, 1943 - December 6, 2023
John Wesley Roberts, Jr., 80, of West Memphis, AR, passed away on December 6, 2023 after a long battle with fronto-temporal dementia.
John was born on September 29, 1943 to John W. Roberts and Juanita Foddrell Roberts in Springfield, MO. He graduated from El Dorado High School in 1961, where he made lasting friendships that he cherished throughout his life. He attended the University of Arkansas and was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity. He then enlisted in the Navy and was stationed at Guantanamo Bay during the Vietnam War where he worked as a helicopter mechanic. After being honorably discharged from the Navy, John moved to Millington, TN where he worked alongside his father at Curtis Person Chevrolet. He spent some years in the restaurant business before he began a career as an Inspector/Product Improvement Planner for Holiday Inns, Inc. This job took him all over the world and provided him with many interesting stories and fond memories of people he met along the way. John rounded out his working years in the insurance industry, owning an agency and serving many customers in the West Memphis area. He looked after his clients, even when they forgot to look after themselves.
John enjoyed people and loved being involved in the community. He was involved in Rotary, was chairman of the board for CASA in Crittenden County, and later served as chairman of the board of Memphis Union Mission. He was a member of the Crittenden County Republican Committee and served as chairman for many years. John was a member of Second Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon and usher. He was a long-time member and greeter for Amen Bible Study and a member of Sojourners Sunday School Class.
John enjoyed many hobbies including riding motorcycles, watching and attending NASCAR races, spending time with his grandchildren, and golfing with friends. But, most of all, John enjoyed watching any sport that his beloved University of Arkansas Hogs were playing.
John is survived by his wife of 34 years Arlene Albanese Roberts; children and step-children, Mandi Roberts Steele (Kerry), John “Trip” Wesley Roberts III, Michelle Spears Kesler, Michael Spears, and Kara Hudson Reed (Aaron); grandchildren and step-children, Makenna Jenkins, Wesley Jenkins, Chase Steele, Taylor Roberts, Blake Kesler, Tracie Kesler Moose (T.J.), Bryn Reed, and Grant Reed; and siblings, Forrest “Britt” Roberts (Mary) and Larry Roberts (Melanie).
He was preceded in death by his parents, Juanita Foddrell and John Wesley Roberts; grandson, Logan Steele; and sister, Janna Roberts McCullars; and first wife, Sherry Strunk.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 12:00 pm at Second Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, Memphis, TN. Visitation will take place prior to the service at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Memphis Union Mission online at memphisunionmission.org/donate/ or sent to: Memphis Union Mission, P.O. Box 1938, Memphis, TN 38101-1938.

12/06/23

My beloved John just went to be with the Lord at 3:58 this morning. I was with him and holding him and telling him Jesus would catch him in his arms.
I am beyond sad, but know this is so good for him.  I know you understand how I feel, and I hate that you have been through this.
 
Arlene Roberts

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Biography:

After graduation I attended University of Arkansas, however, due to my majoring in partying my time in Fayetteville was cut short.

My family moved from El Dorado back to the Memphis area in 1964 and I began working with my father in the car business then into the insurance business.   During this time I joined the Navy where I was an hydraulic mechanic on aircraft and loadmaster on cargo aircraft along with air crewman on helicopters.  My last station was Guantanamo Bay Cuba and from there I left the Navy.

I married in 1971 and we had twins (boy & girl) in 1975 and divorced about 2 years later.  I then went to work with Holiday Inns at the corporate office headquartered in Memphis and travelled both internationally and domestically for about 13 years.  During that time I travelled to many countries; Europe, Asia, South America, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and others.  I also have been to every state in the U. S.

I met my wife during the time at Holiday Inns (she worked there also) and we've been married 22 years.  In addition to my twins I have a wonderful step-daughter and 5 fantastic (most of the time) grandchildren.

I own an Insurance agency that I bought in 2003 but am now ready to sell out and try something new.  I' m not ready to stop working just tired of working full time.

I'm still into college sports, especially anything to do with the Razorbacks, playing golf, and NASCAR.  I have season tickets for the Kansas City track and go to all NASCAR races there.

We live in West Memphis for now, but who knows what the future has in store for us, we are flexible.

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