John Tidwell Roberts

          John Tidwell Roberts died October 6, 2022, at his home in Goldsby at the age of 96 years 30 days.  A private Family Graveside will be held at Warren Cemetery, entrusted to the care of Wadley’s Funeral Service.  
                                                
          John was born September 7, 1926, in El Paso, Texas to Walton Couch and Sallye Ann (Tidwell) Roberts.  He was raised in El Paso, graduating in 1944.  On August 22, 1944, John was inducted into the United States Air Force, proudly serving during WWII.  John was honorably discharged on November 9, 1945.  He continued his education at New Mexico State earning is bachelor’s degree in Animal Husbandry, and then his Master’s in English. John was a member of the SAE Fraternity.  He and Verlene Mullins were united in marriage on January 30, 1954, in Greenville, Mississippi.  They ranched in Stuart, Oklahoma, and then moved to Holdenville, Oklahoma.  John taught English and Social Studies for 25 years before retiring.  He was a member of the Holdenville First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. John also served on numerous committees including the counting committee, the search committee, and as chairman of the deacons.  Along with ranching, John and Verlene owned a flower shop for some time.  In 1995, they and their family co-founded Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.  John enjoyed every career he was involved in, and never met a stranger.  At the time of his death, John was a member of the Goldsby Baptist Church.  

           John is preceded in death by his parents; Couch and Sallye Roberts; his daughter, Jeanne Roberts Gatewood; his sister, Jo Ruth Wosika; and his brother, Walton Roberts.  Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Verlene Roberts of Goldsby; his daughter, Jo Bennett of Goldsby; his daughter, Robbin Roberts and husband, Gregory Henderson of Norman; his son, John Len Roberts and wife, Kathy of Goldsby; his 8 grandchildren, Jonathan Roberts, Rachel Easton, Rebekah Roberts, Benjamin Roberts, Nathanael Roberts, Jorgeann Rojas, Andrew Salas, Steven Bennett; his 11 great grandchildren; his sister, Reida Stewart of El Paso; and numerous other relatives and friends.