Paul Roberts Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Paul E. Roberts, lifelong resident of Grove and beloved father, grandfather and friend, went to be with his Lord, on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 in Tulsa, OK after complications from surgery. He was 88 years old. Paul was born on January 30, 1927 to John and Faye (Houck) Roberts east of Grove on the Cowskin Prairie, where he grew up and went on to graduate as Valedictorian of Grove High School Class of 1944. Following high school, Paul proudly enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 3rd Infantry Regiment in Germany until 1947. After his discharge, Paul returned to Grove to work on the family farm. While at a rodeo in Vinita, OK, his brother noticed a girl they had gone to school with and mentioned her to Paul. Paul “went to Vinita and checked her out” and the rest was history. On July 25, 1953, Paul married the love of his life, Betty Geouge, in Vinita, OK and the couple spent 60 years together before Betty passed away in 2013. In 1957, Paul and his brother, Everett, both began working at B.F. Goodrich curing tires, due to hard times in agriculture. Soon, he returned to what he knew and loved most, farming and ranching. Managing cattle, picking good bulls and keeping good heifers were some of his favorite tasks, along with bailing hay. Working cattle was a family affair in the Roberts household, and perhaps that’s what Paul loved about ranching the most. Paul grew up in church and instilled in his family a deep love of the Lord, serving as deacon for many years at the First Baptist Church of Grove, where he attended faithfully. Many would consider Paul Roberts an iconic figure of Delaware County, as he actively contributed toward so many causes that have had long lasting benefits to this community. Throughout the years, he served on the Grove Public School Board, as a Board Member.Paul was a Board Member of the Federal Land Bank of Broken Arrow, OK, FHA in Jay, OK, as President of Farmers Union of Delaware County for 21 years .His family was awarded the Delaware County Farm Family of the Year in 1978. One quarter Cherokee Indian, Paul was also very proud of his Native American heritage. A good, Christian man, honest in all his dealings, hardworking and truly devoted to his family, is how Paul will be remembered by all who knew him. He appreciated the simple things in life, fishing in the pond with a worm and a bobber, having 3 square meals a day, working hard and seeing the fruits of his labor and his faith in the Lord to see him through the difficult times in life. Paul’s parents preceded him in death, as well as his brother Everett Roberts and his wife, Betty Roberts. He will be missed by his loving family: One sister, Joyce Williams and husband Steve ofWheaton, Mo, daughter, Julia Teel and husband, Mike; daughter Patti Beth Anderson and husband, Doug – all of Grove, OK, Grandchildren: Justin Teel and wife, Jayla, of Grove, OK, Jena Beth Teel of Tulsa, OK, and Caleb Paul Abbott of Sherman Oaks, CA, one great granddaughter, Elyssa Teel of Grove, Ok and a host of loving nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be from 6-8pm Sunday, June 28, at Nichols Funeral Chapel, Grove, OK. Funeral services will be 10am Monday, June 29, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Grove, OK. Interment at Cayuga Cemetery, east of Grove. Military Rites conducted by the Grove Veteran’s Ritual Team. Paul requested that donations be made to something very important to him: First Baptist Church Building Fund, 501 E. 13th St Grove, OK 74344.The family hopes to honor him in this way.,

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Paul Roberts

June 23, 2015