MHSClassof1958 MHSClassof1958

Site Map

Roberts, Mr. Oren Douglas

08/11/08

 

 

OBITUARY
 
Oren Douglas Roberts, a resident of Round Rock, TX, went to be with his Lord on August 9, 2008 at age 94.   Doug was born on May 14, 1914 in Elix, Oklahoma, the son of Bert Clarence Roberts and Henrietta (Athey) Roberts.  Doug was orphaned at age 10 and lived a difficult life as a child, moving from farm home to farm home during the depression years.  Through personal perseverance, Doug received a BS at Pittsburgh Teachers College, Kansas and became Principal of the West Mineral Grade School.  
 
Doug married Katherine (We20ster) Roberts in Edna, Kansas on September 12, 1936; they had two children, James Douglas Roberts and Dolores Ann (Roberts) Gish.   After Doug served in the US Navy during WWII, the family moved to Manhattan, Kansas where Doug completed an MA degree in Education at Kansas State University.  He taught algebra and math for 33 years at the Manhattan Junior High School.  Doug and Katherine were faithful members of the First Baptist Church.  Doug also managed the Manhattan City Swimming Pool and the Rock Springs 4-H Ranch during several summers.  Doug was an ardent fisherman and gardener and he spent many happy hours at his woodworking bench. 
 
In 1979 Doug moved to Ogden, Utah to live with his daughter, Annie.  There, he met and married Anne Searcy in 1981 and they enjoyed an active life together until her death in 1996.  Thereafter, Doug lived near his daughter, Annie, in Round Rock, TX where he met and married Janette Kester in 1999.  They were good company for each other and enjoyed many mutual interests together.  Doug was a beloved member in each family gathering.  Going fishing and playing checkers with Granddad was a special joy for him and his great grandchildren.  He was an enthusiastic attendee to the Round Rock Express baseball games.
 
Doug is survived by his: wife, Janette; daughter, Annie Gish; sister, Lois Turner, Round Rock, 10 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.  Doug was predeceased by his: wife, Katherine Dolores; wife, Anne Searcy; son, Dr. James Douglas Roberts; father and mother; sister, Hattie Mae Jones; brother, Edward Chancey McGinnis; sister, Nola Faye Yates; sister, Nora Edith Yates; and brother, Olin Whitson Roberts.
 
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Hope Alliance Crisis Center, 1011 Gattis School Road, Ste 106, Round Rock, TX, 78664, are suggested.
 

Doug’s Eulogy
 
Doug was of the generation that grew up during the depression and he was orphaned at age 10 in rural Oklahoma.  Although these life experiences could have been negative influences, his thoughts and behavior matured in good and positive ways.  His character can be described as a gentleman, honest, frugal, hard working, a sensitive peacemaker and a Christian.  After being orphaned, he moved from farm to farm, working in hard physical labor for room and board while continuing to faithfully attend school.  At one farm, he earned a milk cow as payment and he took that cow with him as he walked to each su cceeding farm.  After completing high school, Doug financed all of his undergraduate and graduate college education by hard, persistent work in all available types of employment including: milking cows, picking vegetables, shining shoes, meat butcher and ironing at a clothes cleaners. 
 
From this austere beginning, Doug became a Junior High teacher and taught woodworking, math and algebra for 33 years in Manhattan, Kansas.  During summers, he worked as manager of the city swimming pool and as manager of the Kansas State 4-H Ranch.  Doug was a loving and caring father to his son and daughter; he created many happy memories during the family camping, boating, hunting and fishing trips.  During WWII (1943-45) Doug served as an officer in the US Navy in the Pacific.
 
In his personal time, Doug was an ardent vegetable gardener and gave much of his produce to others.  He loved conceiving and building wooden items at his workbench including birdhouses, whirly gigs, desks, table s, a boat and a set of doll furniture for his daughter, Annie.  He maintained a broad collection of wood, nails, screws, bolts, tin, and wire that he collected while going on daily walks.  He checked the trashcans along the way, picked up washers and nuts from the street and rescued “thrown away” wagons and furniture. He refurbished the wagons, bicycles, and tables and put them out on his front lawn with a “for sale” sign of $1.00 to $10.00.  He delighted in providing something from nothing that could be useful to another person.
 
Doug was an ardent fisherman in all conditions.  He loved catching a big catfish or bass or a big mess of blue gill.  But, if the big fish weren’t biting, he would re-string to a small hook.  Then he would cut the worms into small ¼ inch “nubbins” to catch the small fish.  He was especially delighted if he was able to catch and release the fish without losing that worm nubbin so he could use it again to catch another fish.  On several occasions, I saw him reuse the same worm nubbin to catch three sunfish in succession and he laughed with glee each time h e reeled in another little fish on a “used worm”.
 
In addition to not wanting to waste worms, throughout his life Doug had several other frugal habits.  He washed out plastic baggies for reuse, washed and folded tin foil for reuse, and saved the wax paper from inside cereal boxes to wrap up his lunch sandwiches.  He was a recycler before recycling became popular. 
 
Doug’s primary joy was people, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He delighted in the time with them while playing checkers, fishing, watching their soccer games and their dancing exhibitions or just talking.  Those times always gave great joy to him that he would recall for days thereafter.  Doug was married three times.  This was not because he was difficult but because he could not live alone after a dear wife passed away; he needed someone to share his life with.  And Doug was alwa ys sensitive and giving to those unfortunate who needed financial assi stance; this awareness came from his own difficult early life.
 
It was my privilege to know Doug for more than 50 years.  He was of the old school of personal integrity and grit. 
 
 
Don Gish

Post tags:

No Comments »

Leave a comment