Johnny Eugene Roberts passed away on Thursday, December 24, 2020.He was born on September 6, 1928 in Durant, Oklahoma to the late Mae Sawyers Roberts and William Roberts.Johnny was the seventh of eight children. The family left Dust Bowl Oklahoma during the Depression and moved to East Texas where they lived in a succession of small towns in Wood County including Hainesville, Mineola, and Quitman.Johnny would reminisce about a childhood spent skipping school, hopping on trains, and hunting squirrels for dinner.Johnny graduated from Quitman High School in 1948.He later joined the United States Air Force and was eventually stationed at Carswell AFB in Fort Worth, Texas.After leaving the Air Force, Johnny taught himself bookkeeping thru a correspondence course and eventually went to work at Longhorn Industries in Saginaw, Texas where he rose to the position of vice-president.Eventually, Johnny and some co-workers at Longhorn Industries formed their own business called Gorbett and Holloway Fabricators.That business was later called North Texas Pipe and Steel.Johnny retired from North Texas Pipe in 1994.

Johnny married Naila Newsam on December 24, 1954 at Thistle Hill in Fort Worth. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.Johnny didn't believe in paying someone else to do something he felt he could do himself.Over the years Johnny added two rooms to the family house, a new roof, a fence, several pieces of furniture, toys, and a tree house.The list could go on. Johnny was also an avid gardener and had a large garden in the backyard where he grew tomatoes, okra, pumpkins, corn, onions, snap beans and many other vegetables.Later in life Johnny and Naila moved from Haltom City to North Richland Hills where he won "Yard of the Month" award multiple times.Johnny and Naila joined St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Haltom City in 1958.Johnny served St. Michael's in many capacities including vestryman, church warden, treasurer, and often handy man.He was also the donut picker-upper for many years.

Johnny and several of the retired men from St. Michaels would meet for coffee at Braum's and then go mow and weed the grounds at the church. They would finish off the day with a friendly game of dominoes!Johnny also played senior league softball until he was well into his seventies often serving as a pinch base runner for some of his less ambulatory teammates. He was always willing to pitch in and help anyone.
He was preceded in death by his parents and six of his brothers and sisters.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Naila Roberts; son Scott Roberts and wife Lisa Hollas-Roberts of San Antonio, TX; son Chris Roberts of North Richland Hills, TX; daughter Anne Fulton and husband Al Fulton of Rhome, TX.He is also survived by five grandchildren: Laura Roberts of Austin, TX, Matthew Roberts of San Antonio, TX; Emily Fulton of Carrollton, TX, Blake Fulton of Rhome, TX, and Kaitlin Roberts of Graham, TX.Johnny also has one great-grandson, Daniel Pool of Carrollton, TX.He is also survived by his sister Faerene Byrd of Waco, TX and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Services will be scheduled at a later date due to current conditions.