With family by his side, Bobby Ray Roberts, passed away Thursday morning, October 17, 2019, at his home west of White Cloud. He was 65.
The family will meet with friends from 6 until 7 Monday evening, October 21, at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha. A Memorial Celebration of Bobby’s life will follow at 7 p.m., with his brother in law Tony Curtis to officiate. Private inurnment will be at a later date.
Bobby was born March 29, 1954, at St. Joseph, Missouri, the son of Virgil and Regina Rhodd Coulter and had lived in the Hiawatha/White Cloud area nearly all of his life. He grew up at Hiawatha, where he attended school, graduating from Hiawatha High School with the class of 1972. He married Cheryl Russ in 1976 in Robinson. To this union, two sons were born: Austin and Brandon. They later divorced, and he moved to Sedalia, MO, where he met and married Debbie Haun on February 8, 1980. They lived in Sedalia until 1983 when they moved to White Cloud to make their home. Bobby did many things for work throughout his life, but most of his career was spent working with the road maintenance department for the Iowa Tribe. He was very capable of operating whatever type of piece of equipment: backhoe, dozer, truck as long as it was clean inside and out, and had air conditioning. He retired due to failing health in 2014.
Bobby was a member of the Iowa Tribe at White Cloud and served as chairman of the Iowa Housing Authority for over 25 years, of which he was dedicated. He served on the Pow Wow Committee for a short time. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, fishing, Rulo Kustom Klassics, KC Chiefs, and Kansas State football.
Survivors include his wife Debbie of the home, two sons: Austin Roberts (Emily) of Hiawatha, Brandon Roberts (Tara) of Basehor, sister Judy Curtis (Tony) of Edwardsville, KS, two brothers: Henry Roberts of Rulo, Nebraska, Bill Jensen of White Cloud, a granddaughter Allera Roberts; his Aunt Ruby Chambers of Hiawatha, several cousins, nieces and nephews, and his dog Bandit!
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers James David and Frank.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Bobby Roberts Memorial Fund, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.
A special message or note of comfort may be sent to www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com