Thomas Monroe Roberson

March 1, 1931 – February 9, 2026

Thomas Monroe Roberson was born March 1,1931, in Miller Grove, Texas, to Robert Leslie and Verda Victoria Garrett Roberson, both deceased. Tom grew up in Fort Worth where he attended and graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1949. During his high school years, Tom worked part-time for the railroad and upon High School graduation he worked for the railroad full-time until his induction into the Air Force.

Tom was very proud of his military service having served honorably in the United States Air Force from January 1951 to October 1954, with his primary duty station being Greenville Air Force Base in Greenville, Mississippi.

Upon his honorable discharge from military service, Thomas attended and graduated from North Texas State University in 1958. He then started law school at Oklahoma City University Law School and later transferred to and graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston in 1962 earning his Juris Doctor. Being an avid student of the law, he spent most his spare time studying for and passing the Texas State Bar Exam on his first attempt.

These two accomplishments gave Thomas solid footing to begin his distinguished law career in Houston, Texas. During his law tenure, he served as a prosecutor in the Office of the District Attorney in Harris County Texas; served as a Public Defender in Harris County Texas and worked as a Landman in the Oil and Gas industry. He eventually went into private practice as a criminal defense attorney where he served as legal counsel in some very notable, high profile court cases. He is licensed to practice law in the Great State of Texas and to argue cases before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Texas Supreme Court and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Tom met Margaret, his predeceased wife of 62 years, in Oklahoma City in 1958 in the office building where they both worked. Tom worked as an insurance adjuster for Crawford & Co. while Margaret worked as a clerk in a local law office. They married and moved to Houston in 1959 for Tom to continue law school. In 1963, they were blessed with their only child, daughter, Lesley Carol Roberson.

Tom had many interests to include being an active member in the Houston Bar Association where on May 24, 2012, he was honored as a distinguished 50-year member. During his membership in the Houston Bar Association, he served as an officer in a variety of capacities and responsibilities and upon his death was still an active member of 63 years. Other interests include horticulture, where he earned the designation Master Gardner with the Harris County Agri-Life Horticultural Extension. Margaret and Tom also spent many Saturday mornings as active participants in the Houston Genealogical Forum.

In January 2018, Tom and Margaret moved to Arlington to be near their daughter, Lesley. Time in Arlington consisted of many family events and celebrations.

Thomas Monroe Roberson passed peacefully in his home on February 9, 2026. He was predeceased by his wife Margaret Ellen Roberts Roberson, his parents, Robert Leslie and Verda Victoria Garrett Roberson and his brother, Robert Leslie Roberson, Jr.

He is survived by his daughter Lesley Carol Roberson Bettis (Russ Berrong) of Mansfield, Texas; grandchildren Ellen Marie Bettis Evans (Sean Evans) of Austin, Texas; Sarah Ruth Bettis Neal (Sutton Neal) of Austin, Texas; and Robert David Bettis (Lauren Vuong) of Tuba City, Arizona. He is also survived by his much-loved great-grandchildren Josephine Carol Monroe Neal & Archer Charles Evans.

Lesley and family would like to express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the care, love and attention given by so many who have looked after and assisted “Mr. Tom” during his later years; to include the many private care givers who have come into his life, the staff and caregivers from Care Trends, and the dedicated, loving staff at Echelon Place Mansfield.

Arrangements by Moore Bowen Funeral Home, 4216 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, TX.

• Visitation: February 16, 2026 @ 4:00 – 5:00PM

• Burial: February 17, 2026 @ 1:00PM with military honors at Seward Cemetery, Guthrie, Oklahoma

Pallbearers: Robert Bettis, Sutton Neal, Sean Evans and Russ Berrong.