Edgar T. "Buddy" Roberts

Edgar T. “Buddy” Roberts, 84, of Crystal River, FL, passed away on August 8, 2012 at his home. A native of Eatonton, GA, he was born May 7, 1928 to Fred and Minnie (Jones) Roberts, one of two sons. Mr. Roberts graduated from Eatonton High School in 1946 and proudly served in the U.S. Army as an Airborne Ranger from 1949-1952, serving in the Korean War. Ed, as he was also known, became a dairyman early in life serving with a number of dairy farms in the Hillsborough County area. His ability to fix and maintain many things led to a position as a maintenance employee with Cargill Corp. in Tampa, from where he retired after a 20 year career. His residences over the past 17 years included Mazaryktown and Inverness, Florida and Franklin, NC. He moved to Crystal River with his wife of 29 years, Lena Roberts, in 2006. His grandsons, Greg and Jason Stanley, followed in his footsteps by also serving in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne, and Ed had the privilege of pinning his jump wings on both of his grandsons. Mr. Roberts was a member of Suncoast Baptist Church, Homosassa, where he served a door greeter, usher, or anywhere he was needed. He loved life and his family and never met a stranger and Buddy was not ashamed of his Christian faith. In addition to his wife Lena, Mr. Roberts is survived by daughter Kathy Stanley (Rockey); stepchildren Leon Smith (Angela), Edward Smith, Linda Hurd (James) and Lola Larder (Bill); grandchildren Greg and Jason Stanley; James and Jennifer Hurd; Billy and Carla Larder; Brad, C.J. and Heather Smith and Michelle Thompson; 16 great grandchildren and one great grandchild on the way. In addition to his parents, Buddy was preceded in death by a brother, Fred Roberts, Jr.; sons David, Michael and Dale Roberts, and a grandson, Christopher Smith. Funeral Service of Remembrance will be held on Monday, Aug. 13th at 12:00 Noon at Suncoast Baptist Church, Homosassa, with Pastors John Fizer and Robert Gant officiating. Interment will follow at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL. Friends will be received at the church from 10:00 A.M. until time of service. In lieu of flowers, Buddy’s family suggests memorial contributions to Hernando-Pasco Hospice, 3545 N. Lecanto Highway, Beverly Hills, FL 34465. www.wilderfuneral.com