Rev. Arthur John Roebuck

Arthur J. Roebuck, Sr., 80, the middle son of Warren R. and Lovila (Thomas) Roebuck, was born on July 9, 1929 in Framingham, Massachusetts. He passed away on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, at St. Dominic Hospital surrounded by the love and touched by the hands of his family.

Born in the first part of July, when his parents traditionally spent their vacation at White Horse Beach on Cape Cod, the first few weeks of his life were the beginnings of his love of that spot and all its treasures. From ringers (lucky rocks) to lobster rolls to ship traffic on the Cape Cod Canal, these things said "vacation" throughout his life.

Rev. Roebuck enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, spending most of his four-year tour of duty in Japan. He contributed religious articles regularly to the "Nippon Times" and "Stars and Stripes" publications and served in the military chaplaincy." A special memory while serving in Japan was escorting a touring Billy Graham from station to station in a Jeep.

During a visit to a pastor friend in Alabama, after the morning worship, he sat on the curb in front of the church and the two shared homemade ice cream with Martin Luther King, Jr.

Upon his mother's serious illness and death, he returned from the service to Framingham to take over his father's business. With his own family he successfully operated the Natick Printing Co. for thirty years. His son John continues in this field today. His son Jeff pays homage to this printing background with his character's name, Inky the Clown.

As a member of Rotary International, he attained twenty-three years of perfect attendance, including a make-up meeting in New York City while on his honeymoon.

In 1980, Rev. Roebuck began his first "full-time" appointment at the Charlton City United Methodist Church in Charlton City, Massachusetts.

In 1982, the family made the "abandon the snow and enjoy the jonquils in February" decision to move to Mississippi bringing them closer to Rosemarie's father's southern roots.

Thus began a twenty-year ministry that took him to the following charges: Harperville/Trinity, Singleton/Wiggins/Goshen, Drakes, Cooks Chapel, New Hope/Pleasant Ridge/Spring Hill/Union Hill (DeKalb Circuit), Sartinville/Tilton/Topeka, and Pearl River Avenue.

He was an obsessive weather watcher, never met a steamed clam he didn't like, dabbled in woodworking (anchors being one of his favorite creations), was a life-long Boston Red Sox fan, and his talent at the barbecue grill won him raves from his family and even a first-place win in a cooking competition.

Anchor and lighthouse symbols were his favorite personal reminders of the faith that guided his entire life.

He is survived by his wife, Rosemarie (Rhymes) Roebuck; son, Arthur J. Roebuck, Jr., son, Jeffrey S. R. Roebuck and wife, Tiny Dinkins Roebuck; and granddaughter, Cameron Rhymes Roebuck; all of Brandon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church or St. Mark's United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be from 12:30 to 2:00 P. M. in the parlor of Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church with the service following in the sanctuary at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 14, 2010.