David Walter Roberts

David Walter Roberts, born April 29, 1949 passed away June 12, 2024. He was born in Columbus, Ohio and moved with his family to Palmetto Florida in 1959.

Dave met his wife Gail at the Clock Restaurant in Palmetto in the fall of 1976, they married in December 1977 and Jen was born the next spring. He loved being a dad and raising his daughter in his little town.

Dave worked for the City of Bradenton from 1979 until 2011 when he retired. He loved his work, first as a surveyor, then a draftsman and finally an engineer.

Dave also loved music which began at Palmetto High School where Mr. Whitman encouraged him to learn to play the trombone, then to be a part of a “little combo” he was starting one summer. That combo became The Mantico Brass and was very popular, playing at dances, parties, and other venues throughout his senior year.

After high school, he taught himself to play the bass guitar by listening to The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, because he thought girls would like the guitar more than the trombone. He played in many bands throughout the years with many great musicians and even toured throughout the Midwest in the early ‘70’s with David John and Friends.

Dave was a compassionate, kind man who had an interest in and a love for many things which made him easy to talk to. He loved to laugh, was a great listener, and had the best smile. He enjoyed a good road trip and always liked to visit the places and people he loved most. He was good at everything he tried to do and especially loved designing and building wood or stained glass projects.

He will be missed by so many friends but most of all by his family. He was preceded in death by his dad, Walter Roberts, his mother, Josephine (Calhoun) Roberts, a sister, Jean Roberts, and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Gail (Kludy) Roberts, his daughter, Jen (Roberts) Kokay, his sister, JoAnn (Roberts) Linhardt, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grand nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather, Saturday, July 13, 2024 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park, 1400 36th Ave E, Ellenton, FL 34222.