Charles Franklin Roberts

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Callahan Edfast Mortuary Chapel; Services will be at the chapel at 11 a.m.; and interment will follow at 1 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado.

Mr. Roberts was a body and fender mechanic.

He is survived by his wife Rea Fay; four sons, David of Cortez, Gary of Bayfield, Steven of Gilbert, Arizona, and Michael of Grand Junction; two sisters, Margie Steinweg of Eldon, Missouri, and Eunice Brown of Mount Royal, Virginia; 10 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

Contributions to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka KS 66675, or HopeWest and Hospice, 3090B N. 12th St., Grand Junction 81506.

Charles was born April 20, 1922 to Andrew Franklin and Paulina Charlotte Roberts in Sedalia, Missouri.

Charles grew up and graduated high school in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Charles was a member of what Tom Brokaw has now termed: “The Greatest Generation.” Like many others, he, his three brothers and two sisters, grew up during the Great Depression in circumstances that are now termed with words like disadvantaged or impoverished.

When World War II came, Charles left home to serve in the Army Air Corps as a radioman on B-24 Liberators in the China Burma India campaign. Those years of service meant facing death, world travel, and life changing experiences. And for this generation of soldiers and sailors, we are forever indebted for their many sacrifices and for providing the life we now enjoy.

And not everyone will know Charles' many occupations or his work ethic. He was an accomplished mechanic, a wood worker, an avid gardener, a pilot, and even a novice cartoonist. In the early years, he and his family of four sons lived in what we would call a shack today. Later on they constructed their own house which for later generations would become the only ""home"" they knew. In his spare time, Charles would work on his vegetable gardens, fruit trees, incredible lawn, and wood working. He could do more work in a day than was reasonably possible.

This unassuming man was an optimist and did not complain. In fact, this countryman was kind, exhibited generosity, and had many friends and legions of acquaintances. It always seemed like everyone knew him everywhere we went.

For many years, he had the responsibility of supporting a large family and, I think, did so joyfully and with pride and a sense of humor. I do know full well that he loved his wife, Faye; his children: David, Gary, Steve, and Michael and all his grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

I am not sure if Charles always knew the best way to express his love. But, whenever one of his children (who were grown adults), or later his grandchildren, left his front yard for the trip back to their home—he would tell them all that he loved them, and until their car was no longer visible, he stood in the yard. His heart—and his life—was full.

I take solace in the knowledge that this humble man is fully restored in heaven. He is with his old crew; his beloved brothers, and all the others he loved so much.

I also believe that he would not wish to come back into his aged body and to poor health. He would want us to live fully in sweet remembrance and to carry on with life as he always did and to look forward to the day that we will all be together without pain or sorrow in the place the Creator has for prepared for us.

Indeed, it is not enough to say that our community—and the world—is a much better place because of the life and work of humble folk like Charles F Roberts and the other members of the “Greatest Generation.” I loved him and his memory will forever live on in me through my service to this country and through my son who I named Charles in honor of him. My greatest hope is that my son is every bit of the man his great grandfather was.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Leonard, Kenneth and Bobbie, son; Charles and great-granddaughter; Roseanna.

Charles is survived by his wife of 71 years, Rea Fay Roberts; Sons: David of Cortez, CO; Gary of Bayfield, CO; Steven of Gilbert, AZ, Michael of Grand Junction, CO; Sisters: Margie Steinweg of Eldon, MO; Eunice Brown of Mount Royal, VA and 10 Grandchildren and 16 Great Grandchildren.

Visitation is December 9, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the Callahan-Edfast Mortuary Chapel with the funeral service at 11:00 A.M.

Military Honors and Interment will be at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado at 1:00 P.M.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to Wounded Warriors Project or Hope West and Hospice.

Services have been entrusted to Callahan-Edfast Mortuary.