Ouachita County Louisiana Archives Obituaries.....ROBERTS, THOMAS R. November 22, 2015
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Gina Brown rootsgirl36@gmail.com December 27, 2015, 4:23 am

News Star World - December 01, 2015
THOMAS R. ROBERTS

Thomas R. "Tommy" Roberts 75 of Columbia, LA passed away November 22, 2015, 
after a lengthy illness, at his vacation home in Homestead, Florida. He always 
told people that he was born in a cotton field in Richland Parish on May 20 
1940.

A longtime labor leader in San Diego, CA, Tom dedicated his entire life to 
improving the lot of others through his union work, activism in the Democratic 
Party and community involvement. It mattered to him that everyone get a fair 
shake in life, regardless of race, color, gender or station in life. When it 
came to representing and advocating for people, he was steadfast; no single 
person or large corporation was too big a challenge. He was proud of being a 
liberal Democrat. He belonged to that small, special club of men who believed 
being different or being criticized for your ideals didn't matter.

After discharge from the Navy, he settled in San Diego, working in the 
aerospace industry and becoming a lifelong member of the International 
Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Representing people in the 
workplace was not a job but a calling for Tom. He was never prouder than when 
he could get someone who had been fired a second chance, compel the company to 
place a woman in a job once only held by men, or secure a raise for someone 
deserving. He knew while money was important to people, respect in the 
workplace was what they really wanted. He held many positions in the union, 
including president of the local, organizer, and business agent, representing 
thousands of members. Above all, Tom valued being true to his word, loyalty to 
friends and most of all, unconditional love of family.

Tom was preceded in death by his beloved parents, James A. and Carrie Viola 
Roberts; a sister, Evelyn Lois Johnson; brother, Raymond Roberts; son, Rick 
Roberts. He is survived by wife Jane Ogden Roberts; daughters Sandra Roberts, 
Carrie Summers, Margaret Roberts, Judy Roberts and Courtney Nelson; 14 
grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; brother Aubrey Roberts; many nieces, 
nephews, cousins and people he called friend.

A graveside memorial to inter his ashes will be January 9, 2016 at 10 AM at 
Halls Cemetery on HWY 15.

Branam Funeral Home

Homestead, FL

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/la/ouachita/obits/r/roberts4725nob.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/lafiles/

File size: 2.8 Kb