Rev. James Carrol Roberts, a resident of Henryetta, died Dec. 9, 2020 in Tulsa at the age of 97. He was born Oct. 8, 1923 in Carson, Okla., to Martin Bearhead and Perlie (Padgett) Bearhead.
He went to school up to the seventh grade in Carson School thenwent to Haskell where he met his future bride, Margaret. They were married March 21, 1944 in Lawrence, Kans. At Haskell Institute he received training in auto mechanics and he took up boxing with the Golden Gloves.
After graduation he stopped at a recruitment office to enlist in the Air Force, but the recruiter said he looked like a navy man so he enlisted in the Navy. James said he picked the submarine squadron because he thought it would be safer underwater. He was sent to Hawaii for sub training and was assigned the USS Tarpon where he experiences combat in the Pacific.
After he was discharged he returned to Oklahoma City and he and Margaret established their first home and raised their family.
He started working at Tinker Air Force Base as a mechanic and received many certificates for his work ethics. He retired in 1979 from Tinker and moved to Dustin.
He was a member of the Weogufkee Indian Baptist Church and became a deacon April 26, 1970 and later became an ordained minister Dec. 8, 1993.He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret, his mother and step-father Pearlie and Martin Bearhead, three children, James Roberts Jr., Darrell Roberts and Barbara McIntyre.
James is survived by his daughter, Patricia Roberts of Oklahoma City; son, Bret Roberts and wife Rhonda of Weleetka; six grandchildren: Brian Roberts, Lori Roberts, Tina Marie Roberts, Martin Clay Vinyard, Suzanne Vinyard, and Mackenzie Roberts; seven great grandchildren, as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, 2020 at Integrity Funeral Service.
Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. at Integrity Chapel. Interment will follow at Carson Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Integrity Funeral Service.