Gary William Roberts

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Gary William Roberts. Gary, age 79, departed this life on September 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, while holding his wife’s hand. Gary faced his battle with cancer with extraordinary strength, courage and dignity. Throughout his journey, Gary never lost his kindness, his sense of humor or his unwavering love for his family.

Although a long-time resident of Palm Beach County, Gary was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 7, 1945 and grew up in Miami, Florida. Gary was predeceased by his parents, Howard and Dorothy Jane Roberts, and his sister, Janis Lee Green. Gary leaves behind his daughter, Allison Sateron (John), and sons Aaron Roberts, James Calkins (Kristen), Brandon Calkins and Chad Calkins (Sabrina), his brother, Craig Roberts (Beverly), former spouse, Ellen Roberts, and Gary’s three beloved grandchildren Cooper Sateron, Crosby Sateron and Madelyn Calkins. Gary also leaves behind his incredible wife of 27 years, his best friend and the love of his life, Wendy K. Roberts. He let it be known that leaving Wendy behind was the greatest heartache to his passage.

Gary attended high school at The Baylor School in Chattanooga and college at the University of Georgia, where he was co-captain of the University’s freshman swim team and the President of the Fraternity Lambda Chi Alpha. He obtained his law degree from the Stetson University College of Law. From 1968-1970, Gary was commissioned as an Officer of the U.S. Army and served in Germany as a Company Commander with the U.S. Army Security Agency as a Communications Intelligence Officer (Special Intelligence). From 1970-1973, while still in law school, he was promoted to Captain of the U.S. Army Reserve Military Intelligence.

Following his admission to The Florida Bar in 1973, Gary found his lifework’s true passion: the pursuit of justice through trial advocacy. Gary was a lawyer’s lawyer. His clients included Judges, Fortune 500 Companies, several Palm Beach County Sheriffs, and the Palm Beach County Tax Collector. For more than a decade, Gary was counsel to Palm Beach Jai Alai. He also litigated on behalf of many Florida vegetable farmers in Immokalee and Belle Glade. But, at heart, Gary was a trial lawyer, focusing on personal injury and medical malpractice matters, and was most proud of representing those injured and in need of a committed advocate - everyday men, women and children. In one notable example, in 2019 he obtained a $25 million wrongful death judgment on behalf of the estate of an Orlando man murdered in his Belizean vacation home against John McAffee, the victim’s Belize neighbor and founder of the well-known anti-virus software company bearing his name.

Gary was a storm of energy, an innovative thinker and relentless advocate. He was a plain-spoken, down-to-earth attorney and champion for the underdog. He was known for taking on the hardest cases and succeeding against heavy odds. He could talk to juries, hunching over and rocking at his podium, capturing their attention with his sincerity, sense of fairness, intuitive logic and compelling narratives.

Throughout his years of law practice, Gary wrote and lectured on ethics, civil trial law and medical-legal matters. Gary was a member of the Board of Directors of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, and he co-founded the Southern Trial Lawyers Association. Gary served on the Board of Editors of The Florida Bar Journal. He was a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer from 1987 until his death.

Throughout his life, Gary also worked tirelessly to help our community. After the Parkland tragedy, Gary worked to develop KidsSafe Tomorrow, a system designed to protect children and teachers and to identify children in need of mental health counseling. In 2022, Gary developed a program encouraging college students to provide one-on-one tutoring for illiterate adults. In honor of his oldest grandson, Gary initiated legislation to protect drivers that may be neurodevelopmentally-challenged. Always an advocate for children, Gary believed that any effort, big or small, to better the life of a single child was worthwhile. The City of West Palm Beach established June 27, 1988 as “Gary Roberts Day” to honor his contributions to the Police Youth Sports Program. He started School Supplies for Little Guys in Tampa Bay, created and funded a youth educational program on the dangers of high-speed rail in Palm Beach County, and donated generously to holiday toy drives and meal programs.

Away from the law, Gary was happiest spending time with his wife and his grandchildren. Gary was thrilled to share time with Cooper, Crosby and Madelyn, and he promised to always watch over them. He cheered Crosby on at his baseball games, and enjoyed frequent breakfast outings with Cooper, engaging in deep conversations that often stretched into early afternoon. He adored four- year-old Madelyn and delighted in reading picture books to her, in person and over FaceTime. She always clamored to be with Grandpa Gary, especially during the holidays. Gary will miss dancing into the night and traveling the world with his wife, Wendy, with whom he shared many priceless memories. Gary’s world revolved around Wendy. He loved her deeply and always stood behind her.

Gary will receive a private military service with honors at the South Florida National Cemetery in Lake Worth, Florida. Arrangements shall be handled by Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Cremation and Event Center. A Celebration of Life will be held on November 8, 2025 for family and friends to remember and honor Gary’s generous heart, his unwavering loyalty and the lasting impact he made on all who knew him. His memory will be cherished by all whose lives he touched.

At Gary’s request, in lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his memory to a local charity such as The Children’s Home Society of Florida (chsfl.org/donate). Or just perform a small act of kindness to a single child dedicated in his honor.