On the evening of June 8th 2022, Larry Del Roberts of Arlington Texas died at the age of 81. Larry was born in Loraine, Texas to John Delma Roberts and Fresha Gary Roberts in the summer of 1940. He learned to run heavy road construction equipment before he was a teenager and traveled throughout Texas building new roads, bridges, and tunnels with his parents. Because of that he went to 27 different schools before meeting our mom and settling in Colorado City, Texas to date her and finish high school. Dad always said that he loved our Mom the moment he saw her. Upon graduation they married and drove to Arlington, Texas with “Just Married” cans dragging behind the car, so they could attend Arlington State College, now UTA. They loved Arlington and never left.

Back in 1961, Arlington State was part of the A&M system. Larry majored in microbiology while working for the Arlington Water Department. Mom said she would take two pillows off the couch at home and sleep on a table right beside him when he worked the overnight shift monitoring the water pumps from a small building on the Lake Arlington dam. Later Larry managed a large real estate office until that owner encouraged him to start his own company. Larry and Pat did just that and worked together brokering a local Arlington office until they retired in 1997. Larry served in many capacities at the Arlington Board including Professional Standards, Grievance Committee, President of the Board, and many fun events for charity like the chili cookoff. He lost one year to someone who put beans in their chili. Dad just didn’t think that was right. Larry was honored with the prestigious Edgar Byrd Award for serving the Real Estate profession and community tirelessly. At the ceremony they said, “Larry was soft spoken, but if he had something to say, you better listen, because it was important, and he was probably right.” Dad also served as a Deacon for many years at TSBC where he served the Lord faithfully. As an Ordained Minister, he was able to officiate one of the grandkid’s wedding just last year.

Once retired, Dad found that he was busier than he was while working. He never said he was retired, just unemployed. He loved to work driving the tractor. We accused him of moving dirt from here, to there, and back to where he started. Dad could fix anything. He enjoyed taking old worn out things and giving them a new life. He could fix tools, tractors, trucks, broken cabinets, chairs, or just about anything you asked him to look at. Dad is also a founding member of the Wood Turners of North Texas and helped his brother take the club nationally and internationally, with over 385 clubs, yearly conventions, and a place for beginners or professionals to learn from each other. It’s a good thing that they had a big driveway as it was usually full with people just stopping by to visit or cut up some wood and make something. Many people have said Dad was generous; that he gave away stuff not wanting anything in return. Others have told us that he encouraged them to start their own company, made suggestions on how they could better market themselves, and even gave away his real estate commission to help a church just starting. Another told how Dad walked him to his truck and grabbed him by his arm and told him not to do something that was physically risky because he was special and had a lot more to accomplish. Another talked about the day he quit putting sugar in his coffee because my dad kidded him that he had to drink it black to grow hair on their chest. Dad was always making people laugh and they enjoyed just hanging out with him. Larry loved his grandkids. He would teach them many of life’s lessons, always told them he loved them, hugged them, and probably told each one that they were his favorite. They wanted for nothing when around him. What a blessing it was to have him in their lives.

Larry is proceeded in death by his parents Delma and Fresha Roberts, and oldest brother Dr. Wendell Roberts. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patricia Roberts, son Brad Roberts & wife Vy Roberts, and Daughter Carrie Way and brother Gary S Roberts. He loved his grandkids and spent countless hours with them. They include Chase Roberts and wife Stephanie and kids Cain and Dylan; Ryan Roberts; Matt Way and wife Brooklyn and kids Wylye; Aubrey Roberts and fiancé Reid Alexander; Emily Way; Drew Way; and Andy Vu. Larry has many friends that we consider family that dearly loved him.

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