OBITUARY
Gary Anthony Roberts
April 14, 1956 – May 28, 2020
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, Gary Roberts, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully at the age of 64 after a brief illness. He was surrounded by his wife and daughter, and now is reunited with his son, Clay, in Heaven.
A native of Jacksonville, Gary was raised on the Westside and graduated from Ed White High School in 1974. While at Jeb Stuart Junior High, he found a passion for music and regularly played trombone in many church and jazz bands until his death.
Gary graduated from Mercer University of Atlanta (1981) with an advanced degree in Pharmacy (PharmD) and a residency in IV nutrition (TPN), one of the first pharmacists in the nation to specialize in this therapy. Upon returning to Jacksonville, Gary was the Clinical Pharmacist at Riverside Hospital where he developed protocols for successfully maintaining a TPN patient outside of the hospital setting, unheard of at the time. This spawned a business in IV therapies, which was later purchased by a major prescription benefit manager. After the purchase, Gary longed to return to his retail pharmacy roots, and despite a tough economy, he opened Roberts Southbank Pharmacy in San Marco in 2009, which thrives to this day.
Upon the death of his son Clay in 2007, Gary envisioned and created the nonprofit In River Or Ocean (IROO) to instill in the community the greatness of being on the water with friends and family, whether fishing or boating. The Roberts established a college scholarship in Clay’s name at Bishop Kenny, awarded annually, for the senior student who most exhibits the qualities and character of Clay.
Gary was preceded in death by his son, Clay, his father, Tillman Roberts and his mother, Mildred Rogero. He is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Terry, and his daughter Casey.
A memorial service celebrating Gary’s life and reunion with his son in Heaven will be announced at a future date.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family asks that donations be made to In River Or Ocean, 1625 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 or www.inriverorocean.org.
Hardage-Giddens Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32205 is serving the family. Please leave words of comfort and condolences for the family on our online guest register at www.hgriversidefuneralhome.com
Memories
Gary Anthony Roberts
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ADD A MEMORYLinda Di Teodoro
July 26, 2020
I met Gary years ago. I was referred to his Pharmary by a friend. I knew at once I was going to be a regular client.
Gary showed true concern and love for all his clients. He even helped me with my very sick cat.
He will be so missed in the community of San Marco and the medical community.
Rest in peace Gary!!!❤️❤️
Thank you for all you did!
Valerie Marcial
July 25, 2020
I had the blessing of having worked briefly with Gary back in 2005 until 2007. I worked directly under him as one of his administrative assistants during that time at Accredo. Gary made such an impression on me because he was Always such a kind and humble person. Always very understanding, hard working and always looking out for the best interest of others. He was the General Manager and the best boss I have ever had till this day. I always Remember him being a Christian first, then a boss. I had the pleasure of Sharing conversations about Christ and our mutual love for music in the church. He always spoke so lovingly about his family and wife, Terry. I remember how proudly he would speak of his son Clay, and how strong he and his family were after having lost him and his mother at the same time. Gary was the one who inspired me to pursue a career in Pharmacy and gave me the opportunity to become a pharmacy technician back in 2007. Had it not been for Gary hiring me all those years ago I wouldn’t be where I am now as a technician. Thank you Gary for having been such a positive pillar in the community of Jacksonville, and having had the honor of working alongside you. May you Rest In Peace, Gary. You will be missed. I await the day where I will be able to see you again in heaven with Jesus. My condolences and prayers are with you Terry, and Casey. May the Lord continue to bless you and give you peace during this difficult time. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household” -Acts 16:31. God bless you and you family.
Jennifer Riles
June 22, 2020
I met Gary on a day where i just happened to drive by and see his pharmacy. I couldnt find a medicine that my husband needed and decided just to stop and give it a whirl.
Gary was very helpful and so friendly. I could tell that he loved his job and that his customers meant a lot to him. I always looked forward to going in every month to have a humourous conversation with him. Found out that he lived in the same neighborhood i grew up in and that his daughter went to Bishop Kenny , the same school i did.
Gary was just a nice and kind man. You do not find someone anymore that when you walk in say hi, Jenny and ask how Jessie was doing. He always was smiling and always a delight to be around.
When Jess told me about Mr. Gary yesterday, it knocked the air out of me and instant tears formed. So sorry to hear this.
I send out my love and prayers to his wife and casey. He will greatly missed and never forgotten. May the Lord hold his family in his loving arms and offer peace thru this grieving time.
Jessie & Jennifer Riles
Renee Soforenko
June 17, 2020
I was stunned to find out today Gary had passed away . I truly adored this man, and will treasure our brief conversations together. He was always cheerful, friendly, and concerned.
Karen Creamer
June 9, 2020
Everytime the news would interview Gary, it did my heart good to see a classmate and his accomplishments! He was always kind and so down to earth as he spoke with knowledge to the press.
My heart hurts for his loved ones as your loss is great.
With prayers for comfort,
Karen Holland Creamer
Rita Cope
June 9, 2020
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Dr Roberts passing. He was always so nice ,kind and amazing. My own Dr always spoke so highly of him. He knew his customers by their name , kidded around with them. I always wanted to call him Dr Roberts , but he’d always say , I’m Gary. Such a joy to talk with him. He shall be so missed. Heaven definitely gained a angel with a beautiful voice and heart. God bless his family . Many prayers and hugs to you all. Rita Cope
Robert Blade
June 9, 2020
I knew Mr. Roberts as a customer in his pharmacy: when I came in, he invariably looked up from his work from behind the counter and greeted me by name; he was careful to listen and answer my questions. I wasn't an exception; everyone was treated the same. He was a true gentleman and will be missed.
Roger Beale, Sr.
June 8, 2020
Mr. Roberts was a true gentleman. You always felt at ease around Gary. He was dedicated to his profession, family, and friends. He will be missed by many but remembered for years. If there were more individuals like Gary, this world would be a better place. My God hold you in the palms of his hands. To the family our prayers and thoughts are with you. Stay strong as that is what Gary would want.
Roger and Sequana Beale
Elizabeth Figura
June 7, 2020
Mr. Roberts was the most amazing pharmacist I have ever met. He was always a listening ear, was full of warmth, and made you feel like you were his only customer.
He will be seriously missed. What a lovely man!
Liz Figura
Russell Lawler
June 7, 2020
Terry and Casey,
I was stunned this morning when I read Gary’s obituary in the paper . I am glad that I stopped by the pharmacy a couple of months ago and was able to joke around with him. We worked together at Riverside Hospital and did some nursing home consulting. We had more fun than you can imagine when we “worked” together....Gary had a knack for making things fun. What great guy and friend.
God bless you all,
Rusty and Jill Lawler
Carolyn Sellars
June 7, 2020
Terry, Ed and I are heartbroken to read of Gary's death in the
paper this morning . How did we not learn of this earlier. You
know we love you and share in your grief. Such longtime friendship
we share . Keeping you and Casey in our thoughts and prayers.
We love you . Ed and Carolyn Sellars
Diane and Bruce Ayres
June 6, 2020
We were so sad to hear of Gary's passing. We both loved spending time with him, especially since he was always Bruce's partner at the reunions. I know how much he meant to everyone and how much he loved all of you. He was so kind and always had a smile for everyone. Terry and Casey, you are in our prayers and thoughts always. We know he is with Clay and they are fishing together once again. Love you always.
Alison Jones
June 6, 2020
I remember how much Gary loved music, including the band Chicago. Music seemed to bring a lot of joy into his life.
My love is with you, Terry and Casey, as you remember the devoted husband and father you both loved so much.
Love, Alison
Christopher Holleman
June 5, 2020
I met Gary as a participant in the Clay Roberts Fishing tournament. I have some Great Memories participating in this event with my dad, nephews and friends over the years. He was such a sincere man and a Great Dad. I look forward to Fishing with Clay and Gary in the years to come.
Dr Liz Gesenhues
June 4, 2020
Dear Terry and Casey, you are in my thoughts and prayers. You have my condolences on your loss of your husband and father, he was a man devoted to his family. He had a great memory for names and faces and knew you when you walked in the door! It took a lot of courage to open an independent retail pharmacy and be devoted to customer service and he excelled at it. I admired him. Gary's passing is a loss for all of us.
Paul Clark
June 3, 2020
Gary was an amazing man. He always had time to chat and it seemed he remembered my name from the first time I came to his pharmacy in San Marco. Like so many others have already noted, I always looked forward to running in to Gary when I'd come to pick-up a prescription. Such a bright, warm, and compassionate person. The news of his passing is heart-breaking. I will miss him so. My deepest condolences to Casey and Gary's spouse.
Caroline Stake
June 3, 2020
I will miss Gary so much. I am a long time customer at his pharmacy. I always appreciated how friendly and professional he was. He always took time to say Hello and answer any questions I had. He was so kind and such a blessing to me. My love to the family. ❤️
Laurie Naugle
June 3, 2020
Every time I walked out of Roberts Pharmacy it was with a smile on my face. I can assure you that did not happen even once at CVS or Walgreens. Gary was a genuinely kind and caring man, and a fantastic pharmacist. When one of our prescriptions was hard to get, he found a way to make it happen. Once we were just having a friendly chat and I happened to mention I thought I was experiencing side effect from a medication that was really bothering me. He asked me a couple of questions, and then explained that my rx was probably interacting with my over the counter allergy medication, and that I needed to take them at different times of the day. Bam! Problem solved.
He always asked about my family and was so sweet to my children as he watched them grow year after year. And the culture that he created at the pharmacy was amazing— such a great staff who you could tell just adored him.
Gary’s loss will be felt by our family and our community. He truly made San Marco a better place, and a little more special.
Jere Pitman
June 3, 2020
I could share pages about Gary and his family. His love for them was always the highlight of his efforts, truly a selfless man. The passion he showed leading the In River or Ocean tournament to honor his son Clay touched anyone who worked or participated. Gary lived out his faith, and the love of Christ was evident in his actions and interactions. My wife, Susan and I always felt loved by this family, and now we grieve with them again. Thank you for sharing Gary with us! Love and Peace
Michelle Johnson
June 2, 2020
What a wonderful man ❤️ Casey and I met in college and realized I was a regular customer at the pharmacy and knew her dad. I have always had a special place for your family in my heart, I will keep you all in my prayers ❤️❤️
Greg Scott
June 2, 2020
As I was preparing to post this picture to my Facebook page about Dr. Gary Roberts and his wonderful staff in thanks for being so good to our family over the years, I learned about Dr. Gary’s passing. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the kindest and most gentle man I have ever had the privilege of meeting. He knew my family by name and was sincere in his wanting to help us. He just called me on my cell phone two weeks ago to personally tell me a change in the distribution to a medication my son needs and has taken for years. I heard the frustration and pain in his voice because he understood how this affected us. Dr. Gary, you will be missed by our family and by the entire community. My deepest condolences to his wife Terry and daughter Casey and to the entire Roberts' South Bank Pharmacy staff.
Chary Fagerquist
June 2, 2020
Linda and I are very sorry for your loss. Met Gary through IROO and when I got cancer he was there to help. Miss you Gary. RIP.
Tiffany Bradberry
June 2, 2020
I am so blessed to have known and learned pharmacy under this man. Spending a day in the pharmacy with Gary was to spend a day smiling all day and laughing at his dad jokes back and forth with his daughter Casey and learning so much about pharmacy. He really was a wealth of knowledge and taught me things I could have never learned in the classroom. I will truly miss seeing his smiling face as I walked in to fill my prescription and ended up staying and talking for 30 minutes to him and his employees. Gary touched so many hearts, he will be greatly missed.
Robin Scott
June 2, 2020
I am in tears right now as I write this. I’m just in shock. Gary was someone we saw regularly when picking up our prescriptions. I first met Gary ~ 7 years ago when we found out our son needed a prescription we were having trouble finding elsewhere. He stepped up and said he would special order the medication. Because we had such a great experience, we started getting all our new prescriptions sent there for the whole family. He had been with for us through multiple medication changes and had gone the extra mile by trying to help us with finding rebates etc. Gary spent time to answer questions and was always such a comforting presence. He was like a teddy bear of a guy—there when maybe you didn’t receive good news. Just a wonderful man and I’m so going to miss him.
Christine Sasser
June 1, 2020
I am so sorry for your loss. You shared Gary with the whole San Marco community and we are thankful. He was kind and understanding and always answered our questions about our medication. It was always a joy to see him when we walked into his pharmacy. He was more than a pharmacist, he was a friend to our family.
Marilyn Kendeigh
June 1, 2020
I will always carry the memory of our best friend. You are truly. The finest. Man that w have ever met. Rest in peace with your wonderful son ,Clay
Kenny Groleau
June 1, 2020
It’s Kenny Gary’s cousin. We grew up together. He was not only a great cousin to me he was more like a big brother who helped guide me through my teenage years and my young life. He was 6 years older than me and I looked up to him. He taught me how to swim, play the trombone. I will gladly share wonderful stories later of our young life together. He once told me that music was his first love. He was always there when I needed him throughout my life. He was not only the best cousin anyone could ask for he was also a wonderful family man and Christian. I know he loved his whole family so much. I always looked up to him for that. His professional career was always about helping somebody and never the money and for that is how I try to run my business. I see how he always treated his patients with the upmost professionalism and caring for them. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.
Rissa Pryse
June 1, 2020
I was a classmate of Gary’s in pharmacy school and he was a good friend. Love and prayers to Terry and Casey. RIP friend.
Michael Carter
May 31, 2020
R.I.P. Gary, you were always interested in what other people thought, and knew what it meant to be a truly good friend. Many good memories, I know by now, he's already looked up Rusty...
Judith Harm
May 30, 2020
Casey, I send you love and prayers for both you and your Mom. I know you were very close to your Dad. Your wonderful memories of him will be so important as you move forward. With much love, Judy Harm