Richard James Roberson Sr.

Richard James Roberson, 82, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away peacefully in his home following an extended illness on Thursday, July 2, 2026. He was the son of the late Dixie Dawe Roberson and the late Irene James Roberson.

Richard was a graduate of Robersonville High School and East Carolina College. He served honorably as an officer in the United States Air Force as a KC-135 Navigator, Co-Pilot, and Aircraft Commander from 1966 until 1976, during the Cold War and Vietnam Conflict. Following his military service, Richard owned and operated a family business in Robersonville, North Carolina before serving as an Economic Developer for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, in Greenville and later in Raleigh.

Richard was an enthusiastic private pilot and aircraft owner and operator for most of his life and enjoyed the shooting sports. He was a devout Christian and member of the First Baptist Church in Robersonville and later the Bay Leaf Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Richard is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Linda Legette Roberson, of Raleigh, his daughter, Martha Roberson Ajax, of Cary, and his son, Richard James Roberson, Jr. (Kelly) of Panama City, Florida, his grandsons, Benjamin Conrad Ajax of Boston, Massachusetts, and Parker James Ajax of Boone, North Carolina, and his granddaughters, Stevens Leggett Roberson, of Lake Mary, Florida, and Shelby McIntosh Roberson, of Panama City, Florida.

A private funeral service will be arranged at a later date.