James Roberts

James Garry Roberts, 70, of Springdale, born, May 8, 1940 in the family home to Guy and Ruby Roberts in Harrison, Arkansas, died on January 7, 2011 in Circle of Life Hospice care. Garry was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, friend, and teacher who's life was guided by his deep faith in Christ. Garry was confirmed in 1968 as a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. In over forty years, he was a choir member, served as a Lay Reader and Eucharistic Minister, was elected to numerous terms on the vestry, and served four terms as senior warden. On a state level, he was elected to serve a three year term on the Bishop's Executive Council, served on the Environmental Task Force, and attended as a delegate or visitor every state Diocesan Convention since 1968. Garry graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts and Science and Master's of Education degrees. He was employed by the Springdale School System for 36 years at Central Junior High School where he primarily taught Civics. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa. He also served as a consultant on several textbook and was listed as such in one. Garry was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan attending every home football and basketball game and traveling to many bowl games and NCAA Tournaments. He was a gourmet cook and loved to travel. He was preceded in death by his father, Guy Roberts, formerly of Harrison. He is survived by his wife Frances, his sons, James and John, a daughter-in-law, Jennifer, and one granddaughter, Katelynn, all of Springdale, also his mother Ruby Roberts and sister Vera Wagner of Harrison, his sister Renetta Wacaster and brother-in-law Jim Wacaster of Springdale, his brother-in-law Bill Phelps and wife Lynn Phelps of Mountain View, and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Springdale at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 12, 2011. A visitation will be on Tuesday, from 6 to 8pm at Sisco Funeral Chapel in Springdale. Burial will follow the service at the church's columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, 92 Sunbridge Dr., Fayetteville, Arkansas 72203, Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, Arkansas 72762, caringbridge.org, or St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 2898 S. 48th St., Springdale, Arkansas 72726. To sign the guestbook online please visit www.siscofuneral.com

James Roberts

May 8, 1940 - January 7, 2011