Kenneth John Roberts

Kenneth John Roberts, a beloved father, veteran, author, and friend, passed away peacefully in Ellenton, Florida, where he spent his final years close to family and under the warmth of the Gulf Coast sun. He was raised in Southampton, England, the eldest son of Kenneth Morgan Roberts and Mary McKie, and older brother to Angela and Diana. He was also the great-grandson of James “Jaz” Ransom, a first-class saloon steward who perished aboard the historic Titanic.

Ken’s childhood in 1950s post-war England was a vivid tapestry of resilience, change, and adventure—marked by the rebuilding of Southampton, the Festival of Britain, The legacy of World War II was still visible, with remnants of bombed-out buildings serving as playgrounds for children. His family immigrated to Nova Scotia, Canada, before settling in West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he attended Henderson High School. He developed a passion for sports, rock music, art, and fitness. Though his dream of attending art school was put on hold, he channeled that creativity into bodybuilding, winning competitions nationwide and training in legendary gyms alongside icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno.

He proudly served as a medic in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War and later became a long-haul truck driver, building his own business and achieving over a million miles on the road. Ken loved the freedom of the open highway, the roar of motorcycles, and discovering America’s beauty—from Alaskan northern lights to Arizona sunrises.

Ken married Marian Arlene Roberts, and together they raised two sons, Kenneth Andrew and Philip Turner, in North Delaware. As a father, he was deeply devoted, often leaving motivational quotes on the bathroom mirror and inspiring his sons to lead healthy, disciplined, and adventurous lives. He taught them weightlifting, martial arts, survival skills, and the importance of hard work and honor. His travels with his boys became life lessons—transforming work trips into unforgettable memories. He collected all those post it notes and turned them into a book titled “Motivational phrases for all of life's challenges” publishing his book leaving a piece of his legacy.

After mutually parting ways with Marian in 2002, Ken found love again with Donna Hargrave in Columbus, Indiana. Their time together was tragically cut short by her sudden passing from brain cancer. Despite enduring his own battles with bladder cancer, a stroke, and open-heart surgery, Ken’s spirit never wavered.

In his final chapter, Ken relocated to Florida to be near his eldest son and daughter-in-law, Ashley. He continued to work with passion—driving for Uber into his later years, making friends everywhere he went, and lighting up every room with his wit and warmth. A devoted family man, he was fiercely loyal, always supportive, and endlessly generous with his time, laughter, and wisdom.

Ken Roberts was more than the sum of his titles: son, brother, husband, father, uncle, author, veteran, champion bodybuilder, truck driver, and friend. He was a storyteller, a motivator, a survivor, and above all, a lover of life.

Ken had a deep passion for people, a gift for joy, and a positive outlook on life that lifted the spirits of everyone around him. With his outgoing nature and sense of humor, he had a remarkable ability to light up a room and make people feel at ease. He had a fun-loving personality and a contagious enthusiasm for life. Always ready with a joke, quick to offer words of encouragement, a warm greeting, or a word of praise. His legacy lives on in the family he loved and the countless lives he touched.

He is survived by his sisters Angela DeMarco (Michael) and Diana Hughes (William); his sons Kenneth Andrew Roberts (Ashley) and Philip Turner Roberts; nieces Christine MacNeal (Robert), Amber Lindemann (Sven), Daria Hall (Russell); nephew Joshua Dilts (Nichole); and eight great-nieces and nephews.