Frank D. Roberts

Franklin Dean Roberts, known to all as Frank, passed away on December 18, 2023 after a battle with cancer. He had just celebrated his 91st birthday in November, surrounded by his loving family.

Frank was born on November 22, 1932 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the youngest of four boys to Jack and Lois Roberts. The family moved to Galena Park, Texas when Frank was a young man. It was there Frank nurtured his life-long love of singing, performing in many choirs and ensembles, and winning numerous awards throughout his life.

Frank attended North Texas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1957 and a Master of Music Education degree in 1958. It was here where he met Ann Collier, whom he would later marry. He went on to become an Assistant Professor of Music at Oklahoma Baptist University.

Frank served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955, including a tour in Korea. He was very proud of his military service throughout his life, following all three of his brothers into military service. All three of his brothers fought in World War II.

While attending the University of Texas at Austin, Frank started a family with his first wife, Emily Tipton, and left UT in support of his family, short of completing his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree. He went on to pursue a profession in Music Education, including becoming a Professor of Music at Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.

In the 1970's, Frank left his career in Music Education to become an electrician, which was a profession he shared with his father and all three of his brothers. He continued this profession until his retirement, and was a proud member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (I.B.E.W. local 716).

In 1978, Frank married Ann Collier Carson, and together they blended their family of five children, three boys and two girls. Frank continued to nurture his love of music for the rest of his years, singing in the church choir at John Wesley Methodist Church with Ann until he became too ill to do so.

Throughout his life, Frank enjoyed traveling, especially to the Rocky Mountains. He loved to camp, fly-fish and spend time with his family and close friends outdoors. He also spent part of his childhood in the Ozarks near Springfield, Missouri, and had very fond memories of this time that he often shared. It was here he developed his love of the outdoors, swimming and fishing in the spring-fed creek nearby.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Lois, and his three brothers, Jack, Bud and Bill Roberts.

Those mourning the loss of Frank include his loving wife of 45 years, Ann Collier Roberts. He is also survived by his children, son Jim Roberts of Casper WY and his wife Gloria; daughter Betsy Strasbaugh of Pittsburgh, PA, and her husband Tom; daughter Jennifer Snellgrove of Hurst, TX and her husband, Matthew; step-son Glenn Carson of Austin, TX, and his wife Lori; and step-son Tom Carson of Tomball, TX. Frank is also survived by his grandsons Aidan and Dylan Snellgrove, of Hurst, TX.

Frank was laid to rest at Brookside memorial Park on December 22, 2023. A celebration of Frank's life will be held at John Wesley Methodist Church in Houston, with a reception at 5:00 PM and a memorial service at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, January 3, 2024.

Frank will be greatly missed and his memory will be carried on by all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in Frank's honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the American Cancer Society, or The Tunnel to Towers Foundation, an organization that assists families of veterans in need.