James Roberts passed away on Nov. 24, 2013 after a brief illness in Fort Collins, Colo., at the Poudre Valley Health System hospital. He died from complications after a hip-replacement procedure.
James was born the son of Mary and John Roberts in Parco, Wyo. He was the beloved husband of Anna Rose; beloved brother of Matilda, Marge, Thomas, David, Eleanor and Patricia - all of whom he survived.
He is survived by his sister-in-law Maryanne, of Rawlins, and nieces Pamela, of Rawlins, Arlene, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Mary, of Cheyenne, as well as nephews David, of Portland Ore., Gregory, of Rawlins, Bobby ,of Cheyenne and Don, of Ann Arbor, Mich. He also leaves behind many grand nieces, grand nephews, a large group of close friends and his cat Jake.
James served in the army during the Korean War as a mechanic. After the war he became involved in racing outboard run-about boats. In 1958 he placed second in the national championships held at Lake Mead. His enthusiasm for boat racing gave the entire family opportunities to travel and help him in the pit.
James also became an avid pilot, owning partnerships in a number of aircraft through the 1970s. He was an excellent pilot with a soft hand on the controls. Unfortunately he was forced to quit flying due to an injury to his back.
James was an avid outdoorsman; he enjoyed hunting, fishing and just spending time with friends and family in the great outdoors.
He was a partner in a NAPA auto-parts store in Casper through the mid 1970s. After that he held a job of caretaker at the IOOF camp outside Encampment in the 1970s and 1980s. He retired comfortably living in Pinedale for a number of years before finally settling outside Riverside 25 years ago. His love of the outdoors influenced greatly his choice of jobs and homes - he sacrificed much in order to live as he pleased.
His friends were important to him. In recent years the highlight of his day was lunch at the senior centers either in Encampment or Saratoga, where he could enjoy a meal and talking with his friends. He was fortunate to have good friends such as Jack and Vonda Weiburg; Don and Vangie Lucero; George and Diane Bauer and Monte Hobbs.
His friends showed him great kindness in helping him by driving him to doctor's appointments and including him in their daily activities.
Whether it was taking a ride on the back roads, wetting a fishing line, going on an occasional rock hunting trip or just relaxing and enjoying a scenic outlook, James took pleasure in nature and greater pleasure in sharing it with friends and family.
To his family and friends James was a generous, hard working and gentle man known for his dry wit, piercing intellect and prodigious memory. Fortunately, despite failing health in the last years of his life, he was able to maintain these characteristics to the very end. To those that knew him and loved him, words cannot adequately express the warmth, depth and generosity of his soul. He was, and remains, the epitome of the word "gentleman" in all respects. Frequently he would engage in heated discussions regarding politics or social policy, but at the end he never was angered by another person's views and would end the discussions with a sly chuckle or a warm laugh and, possibly, a lifted eyebrow. If the politicians in this country would take an example from him the country would benefit greatly. To know James was to love him, and his passing leaves all that knew him diminished.
Services were held Monday at the Valley Chapel at the Saratoga Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Encampment Senior Center.
Pallbearers are: Jack Weiburg, George Bauer, Monty Hobbs, Jeff Roberts, Scott Roberts and Chance Roberts.
Tributes and condolences may be offered online at http://www.carboncountyfuneralhome.com.
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