Arvin Dale Roberts, known to friends and family as “Dale”, passed away Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at Baylor, Scott & White Hillcrest Medical Center. He died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, who have walked with him in his battle with complications caused by dementia. There will be a burial service Saturday, March 25 at Berry’s Creek Cemetery near Georgetown, Texas, at 11:00 am.
Dale was born in Tankersley, Tom Green County, Texas, just outside of San Angelo, and spent the early part of his life there. His family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where he graduated from high school. He began working as a carpenter soon thereafter, and continued for a number of years, while working on his private and commercial pilot’s licenses. He began his career as an aerial applicator pilot, flying “cropduster” airplanes in the early 1960s. His flying career spanned over 40 years, five crashes, and many more “close calls.” God must have been his co-pilot.
Dale met Shirley Janice Bradford in Lewiston, Idaho, and they were married on June 20, 1954. They were married for over sixty-eight years. Dale and Shirley had five children (four surviving children), ten grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Their early marriage included numerous moves but they finally settled back in Texas in 1981.
Dale was a voracious reader, a self-taught history enthusiast, and expert on the history of the War Between the States. He was an enthusiastic member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, owned and flew numerous small aircraft, and built a “Starduster II” sport biplane. Another hobby was doing Civil War re-enactments and living history talks all over the country. He is the published author of two books and many articles and stories on flying, history, and life growing up in west Texas. Dale was also a faithful Jesus-follower, and actively served in many churches throughout his life. He and Shirley most recently attended Columbus Avenue Baptist Church in Waco, Texas.
Dale is preceded in death by his parents, Charles Lee Roberts and Roma Madalyn Roberts; his brother, Charles Gordon Roberts; and his son, Gerald Kent Roberts.
His survivors include his wife, Shirley Janice Roberts; his sisters, Janice Louise Franklin, Nelda June Sellers, and Paula Marjean Revell; his daughter, Holly Athena Sheen (Ray), his sons, Brian Dale Roberts (Carol), Mark Corey Roberts (Therese), and Mitchell Bradford Roberts (Erica), and their families.
The family invites you to leaves messages or memories on the “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com.
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