Douglas Arthur Roberts

December 4, 1926 – September 8, 2016

As a member of the “Greatest Generation,” Doug loved God, loved his country, and loved his family.

Doug was born in Long Island, New York to Henry and Florence (Hart) Roberts. Growing up during the Great Depression instilled life-long thriftiness and ingenuity in Doug. It also caused his family to move to Glendale, California in the Los Angeles area.

Doug attended Hoover High School in Glendale. He left school before graduating and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in March 1944 at age 17. He served with the 3rd Marine Division on Guam and on Iwo Jima. Doug was on Iwo Jima when Joe Rosenthal captured the iconic image of Old Glory being raised on Mt. Suribachi, February 23, 1945. About one week later, Doug was wounded in the right foot by a Japanese hand grenade. He carried the scars and effects of that wound his whole life. He was removed from the island to a hospital ship and spent 18 months recovering in military hospitals in San Francisco, Long Beach, and San Diego. He was Honorably Discharged on August 14, 1946. He enjoyed what he jokingly called his “one day of freedom” before marrying Lillian Jean “Lee” Legat on August 15, 1946 in San Diego. Doug and Lee lived in government housing before purchasing their first home (5824 Trojan Avenue) in San Diego in 1949.

During this time, Doug worked at Consolidated-Vultee Aircraft (later Convair). He then began working at Bullock’s Carpet Service. This was a major step in that Doug would spend 25 years as a floor covering contractor, first in business with his father (H.A. Roberts and Son Carpet Service), then owning the business himself (D.A. Roberts Carpet Service). In the mid-1970’s, Doug gave his business to one of his employees. He then became a life insurance agent for Lutheran Brotherhood and retired in the mid-1990’s.

While living on Trojan Avenue, Doug and Lee began attending College Lutheran Church. Doug was active in the Brotherhood Men’s Group. He was in the leadership of the Brotherhood Advance, a men’s Christian retreat held in various mountain locations in Southern California. He also volunteered with Boy Scout Troop 961. In 1956, Doug and Lee moved their family to 1501 Koe Street, Lemon Grove. They began attending Lemon Grove Lutheran Church. Doug continued to be active in Lutheran Brotherhood and assisted in the building of the new sanctuary. He also served on various church boards.

Doug was a great dad to his three children, Philip Crane (1947), Beryl Ann (1949), and Carole Lynn (1951). He helped Phil with his paper route and Boy Scouts, and during high school and college, Phil worked with Doug laying carpet. Doug was a great teacher, especially inculcating the values of hard work and a job well done. He encouraged Phil to attend college. He knew firsthand the value of education. With the girls, he always helped them with their projects and especially their pets including cats, dogs, rabbits, fish, birds and especially horses. Around the house, Doug was very handy and was always repairing things and doing home improvement projects. He also helped the neighbors with their projects.

A highlight each year for Doug and the family was attending, each February, banquets commemorating the Battle for Iwo Jima, remembering those who gave their lives, and honoring the survivors. These banquets are held at Camp Pendleton. Another honor for Doug was in 2013, when he and Phil flew to Washington, D.C. with Honor Flight San Diego. This group honors WWII Veterans and takes them at no charge to see the World War II War Memorial and other memorials in Washington.

Doug loved to travel, see new things, and meet new people. He and Lee, and later Bernie, traveled extensively in the U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, U.K., Mediterranean, Australia, and his favorite, New Zealand. He especially loved cruising with Holland America and went on numerous cruises with them all over the world. Doug also enjoyed social activities and made many friends at the Elks Club in El Cajon.

In January 2003, Beryl Ann, loving daughter, passed away at age 53. Then, in March 2004, after 57 years of marriage, Lee, devoted wife and loving mother to their children, passed away. These two events profoundly affected Doug. God had unexpectedly taken these two special ladies to heaven.

Bernice Barnes, a long-time family friend from church, brought happiness and companionship back into Doug’s life when they were married in June 2005. They resided in El Cajon for eleven years. They enjoyed traveling, cruising, and playing “Skip-Bo” with their long-time friends, the Granstedts and the Johnsons.

In February 2016, the day before the Iwo Jima Banquet, Doug broke his hip. This began a slow decline in health with one complication after another including the infection of the war wound in his foot. Finally, he passed away comfortably and peacefully on September 8, 2016.

Doug was preceded in death by: sister Beryl and brother Wallace. Doug is survived by: wife Bernice, sister Phyllis Koch, son and wife Phil and Gail Roberts, daughter and husband Carole and Rick Wheeler, step-daughter and husband Diane and Dennis Hines, step-son and wife Dale and Holly Malzahn, step-son Dano Malzahn, and step-son Dean Malzahn. Grandchildren and spouses: Clinton and Robyn Wheeler, Kimberly (Wheeler) and Robby Green, Jeffery and Tina Wheeler, Lauren (Roberts) and Brett Johnson, Heather (Roberts) and John Deloney, Brooke (Roberts) and Aaron Kakiel. Great-grandchildren: Joey Wheeler, Jessica Wheeler, Jonathan Green, Samson Green, Kenneth Green, Emily (Green) Kellogg, Michael Wheeler, Matthew Wheeler, Marcus Wheeler, Vance Deloney, Leif Deloney, Charlotte Kakiel. Great-great-grandchildren: Maci Wheeler, Addilyn Wheeler, Noah Kellogg. Nieces and nephews: Karen Herman, Virginia Thompson, Dave Roberts, Paul Koch, grand-niece Shelley Herman, grand-nephew Lee Hammond.

Doug is dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57