THOMAS D. "TOM" ROBERTS, age 81, of Owensville, MO, formerly of Charleston, died Sunday, January 23, 2022, at the Mercy Hospital in Washington, MO.

Thomas Doyle Roberts was born on September 23, 1940, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri.  Tommy, as he was known, was the third child born to Dolivan "Doc" Roberts and Margaret Walker Roberts.   Dolivan worked at the railroad station and Margaret took care of the children and kept the house in order.

Tom attended elementary and secondary school in Charleston.  After graduation in 1958, Tommy joined the U.S. Navy, proudly serving his country for 10 years. In the Navy, Tom went to radio school at the United States Naval Training Center in Bainbridge, Maryland.  He also had the honor of serving on the U.S.S. Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr.  After his discharge from the U.S. Navy, Tom worked for UPS a number of years and then as manager of Scott Manor apartments in Sikeston. He then moved to Jefferson City where he took a position with Lions Club International serving a large territory of Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma.  Not able to sit still, Tom took a truck driving job with LaCasita Food, then as a part time custodian at Helias High School and later Scholastic Book, all in Jefferson City.

Tom had a great interest in church. Growing up, his parents would walk to church every Sunday, no matter what the weather was like outside.  Tom Studied voice for 5 years.  Through these experiences, Tom became well involved with different churches. He served as worship leader at several congregations including Calvary Baptist and Immanuel Baptist in Jefferson City. He also had the opportunity to direct a 110-voice choir.  Tom had an avid interest in Southern Gospel music that led him to attend the National Quartet Convention every year since the 1950s. Tom was a member of the V.F.W., and a long-time member of the Lions Club.

During his high school years, Tom met a lovely girl named Sharon. They knew they loved each other, but when Tom joined the Navy, their relationship came to an end.   However, in 1961, when Tom returned home, they were reunited and on December 17, 1961, at the Wyatt Baptist Church, Sharon Lee Brown, became his lovely bride of 42 years and four months.  Sharon preceded him in death on March 4, 2004.

Surviving are his sons, Brett A. (Rhonda) Roberts of Lohman, MO and K. Scott Roberts and Sandra Radford of Cuba, MO; his grandchildren, Morgan Nicole Roberts, Shelby Layne Market (Spenser), Kerry Thomas Roberts (Olivia) and Logan Connor Roberts; great grandchildren, Kinsley Aleah Kehr, Saylor McKelvey Market,  Lochlin Alan Market and Emersyn Rose West,  Amelia Lee Roberts and Eliott Jay Roberts; also his dear nieces and nephews, Kelly McDaniel, Stacy Comstock, Sherrie Williams, Mark Arnold, Steven Arnold and Brian Arnold.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Melba Jean Arnold and Doris Ann McDaniel and an infant brother, Robert Quincy Roberts.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, January 29, 2022, at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston.  Rev. Dean Wallace will officiate.

Interment with military honors will follow in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be: Kerry Roberts, Logan Roberts, Rob Davis, Dave Williams, Todd Brown and Larry Brown.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com

A message Tom would leave with you - "Don't let another day go by without getting your heart and life right with Jesus Christ."