David Michael "Mike" Roberts

Mike Roberts passed away suddenly on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at his home in Osteen, Florida. He was 81. Mike was born in Sanford, Florida on September 4, 1941, at Sanford Memorial Hospital to Frances (Brantley) and Arthur Oswald Roberts, Jr.

After success as quarterback at Seminole High School, Mike left Sanford to play quarterback at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma for two years. He then transferred to Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and received his BA in Psychology. This is where he met and married Rosemary Lombardi, the mother of his four children. They moved to Sanford, and both taught at Sanford Junior High. They returned to Tahlequah for Mike to earn his Master of Education degree in 1971.

During his more than 30 years in education, he was a coach, teacher, and, ultimately, a guidance counselor. For 25 years he was a guidance counselor and the testing coordinator at Lyman High School in Longwood, Florida. He took great pride in his work, “never lost a test in 25 years”, and understood the incredible impact that thoughtful and proper guidance has on lives.

He met Sharon(Moist) Winton at a party in 1991, and they were married in 1996. He and Sharon retired to Colorado in 2004, fulfilling Mike’s lifelong dream of moving to the mountains. In 2019, they moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin. While there, they joined Grace Baptist Church and were baptized in 2021. Being a Son of God was of the utmost importance to Mike.

In January 2024, Sharon passed away very unexpectedly, shattering Mike’s life in an instant. He moved to Osteen, Florida and lived with his son, Bryan, and Bryan’s family. Though his heart was never the same after Sharon’s passing, he was filled with joy and love at being able to spend time with his children, grandchildren, and family.

Mike was hard-working, meticulous, an avid hunter, and die-hard Florida Gator. He was a font of knowledge across subjects ranging from hunting and farming to building. He could build or create anything he set his mind to. He was fun, fierce, and will be missed.

He is survived by his four children: Jennifer (Ariana) Roberts-Watson, Jessica (Jamie) Mcgriff, Anna (James) Vrhovac, Bryan (Jesse) Roberts, step-son Troy (Teresa) Winton, his first wife, Rosemary Lombardi Roberts, sisters Diane Osepchook and Kim (Rick) Steele, numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, A.O. and Frances Roberts, Jr, and beloved wife, Sharon Roberts.

His Celebration of Life will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd from 2-5pm at the Westview Baptist Church. It is located at 4100 HE Thomas, Jr Parkway in Sanford, FL 32771.