Douglas Glenn Roberts

Doug was born in Oakland, California on October 2, 1942 and went to be with the Lord

November 2, 2023 at his home in DeBary Florida. Doug was preceded in death by his father Cecil Glenn Roberts, mother, Leta Roberts-Duffy and son-in-law John Clifford Bates.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years Sharon Mann Roberts, daughter Dawn Marie Bates, son Jon Douglas & Jamie Roberts, grandchildren: Cecily & Christopher Mott, Brianna Roberts, Spencer Roberts, Courtney & Austin Roy-Bates, Chelsea Bates, Samantha Quinn, Catherine Bates. Great grandchildren: Eloise Mott and Toliver Mott.

Doug graduated from San Lorenzo High School, Class of 1960. He joined the US Marines Corp in October 1960 his duty was extended because of the Bay of Pigs/Cuba after which he attended Chabot College, Hayward, CA.

In July of 1966 Doug joined the California Highway Patrol for which he proudly served as a Patrolman for 20 years. After his retirement he started Roberts Construction and was a Real-estate agent. After living most of our lives in the San Francisco Bay Area we relocated to Florida in 1989.

Doug’s passion for travel started in 1965. When we drove from California to British Columbia to Ontario Canada on Highway 1’s. We have traveled all 50 states in planes, trains, ,automobiles, ships, motorcycles, motorhome ….. we have also been blessed to visit 17 foreign countries.

Doug loved to refinish furniture, rescue Great Danes (15 in total), building and remodeling homes. He also enjoyed playing cards, board games and dominoes. Racehorse and 42 were two of his favorite games. He had fond memories of playing Shut The Box with his great-granddaughter Eloise.

In September & October of 2022 we spent 2 months in Europe celebrating Doug’s 80th birthday and our 60th wedding anniversary.

Here are some fond memories the children and grandkids remember about Daddy and Grand.

DAWN - My mind races with memories of my Dad. From the many Christmases filled with hand crafted gifts, to hand digging a swimming pool in our backyard. He taught me how to change the oil in my car, replace my brakes and use a coat hanger as a clutch cable in a pinch (I was tough on clutch cables in the beginning). Dad also taught me to lay tile which has come in handy in every home we’ve had (plus several friends homes).

He took us on amazing trips: Yellowstone and Yosemite on motorcycles; bicycling through California ghost towns; sailing on Clear Lake; camping in Tahoe National Forest, especially fun memories at Weaver Lake. I will especially cherish the memories of the trips we’ve taken together over the last decade; Jamaica, Israel, Alaska, Belgium, Portugal and Spain. He was such a trooper!

Dad was my inspiration to go into law enforcement and mentored me many times via long distance calls in the beginning of my career. I will miss our late night conversations solving the world’s problems that would last for hours. He was my rock!

JON - The Christmas we rebuild of my old cruiser bike into a BMX, learning to shoot at the end of some old road in Livermore and always wishing I could be as accurate as Dad and that one special fishing day on Del Valle just the two of us on the boat lounging in a cove catching trout.

My dad and I took a trip to Daytona Int’l Speedway racetrack, a ride-along in a Nascar and then airboat ride in south Florida on a gator watching. Our one hunting trip, night vision, two shots, one pig and no meat. So much gratitude for all the knowledge he passed to me.

JAMIE - Doug was a man of great character and integrity, a valuable mentor and guide. I was fortunate to have him as a father-in-law. Thank you for welcoming me into your family and for all the love and support you have shown over the years. You will forever be missed.

CHELSEA- Memories of Grand: visiting Florida throughout my childhood. The time he tipped the riding lawn mower into the lagoon. Hot tub hangs in the screened porch. Being the best dog father; despite having nicknames for pets like “bird shit” Bridget. Referencing the $50 dollar bill anytime we needed to explain to someone what Grand looks like. Our epic RV trip where you both got to introduce us as your homeless grandchildren. Grand gave the best hugs ❤️

BRIANNA - One afternoon, Grand decided to take the John boat out on the lagoon. Normally I would have passed, but that day I wanted to go with him. We didn’t get 100 yards away from the dock area and Harvey (deaf dog) decided to follow. He stood at the fence for a bit not understanding, or hearing, why Grand was hollering at him, when he decided he needed to come with us. Needless to say, the John boat sank under the large Great Danes attempt to board. Grand hollering at a deaf dog still makes me chuckle. We all had a bath and a cuddle later. He could sound gruff, but Grand really loved deeply. I learned that from him and will miss him always.

SPENCER - My memory is pretty bad, but when I think of Grand I'm reminded of warmth. It reminds me of time spent away from home, visiting family I don't often see, playing board games while sitting in the sun-room, and of the Great Danes that were bigger than me at the time. Reminds me that everything isn't all doom and gloom. Oddly enough, something that always gave me a chuckle about Grand was when I was younger he'd always say "God bless it" when he was upset. I don't know if he kept it up throughout the years, but for me, it's a defining feature of him that resonates through my memories.

CECILY - Grand was one of the most determined people I've had the privilege to know and there are many stories that I could tell to show how he taught me to be just as determined. Whether it is the sheer strength of will he used to come back from his stroke, with the equally determined Grammie at his side. Or my personal favorite memory. He had these pvc pipe fishing rod holders that were supposed to pull back automatically if a fish was on the line. I can't remember if it was dad or him who had the initial idea but they constantly came out of the ground and you had to chase the rod, or they didn't pull back and you spent the next 5 minutes reeling the line back in for no fish. But he was determined to use them and have them work. We'd sit on the bank of the lagoon for hours watching and waiting for a change in the line or for the auto pull. Somehow he made a potentially very boring experience a ton of fun for a broken, messed up, irritable 14 year old girl. I realize now as an adult that it wasn't the rod holder he was determined to fix, but instead the kid he was determined to show someone cared. I will miss him indefinitely.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.deltonamemorialfuneralhome.com for the Roberts family.