David Roberts

David Earl Roberts was born December 14, 1923 and passed away on April 16, 2016 at age 92. He was the youngest child of Dave A. and Rubie Rogers Roberts. He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Marion (Mickey) Knowles Roberts to whom he was married for 62 years prior to her death in 2012. He was also preceded in death by his brothers Odell, Bill, Fred, John and Coy Roberts and his sister Mabel Garvin. Dave grew up on a small farm in the North Pulaski County community of Olmsted. In 1942 he joined the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program and began his lifelong love of flying. After active duty in both WWII and Korea, he remained in the Arkansas Air National Guard for many years and was named Assistant Adjutant General of Arkansas in 1969. He retired from military service on his birthday in 1983 after 41 years of service. In the course of his life in North Little Rock, Dave was very involved in civic affairs. He served as chairman of the NLR Planning Commission for seven years and was President of many organizations including the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Arkansas Air National Guard Association, the Arkansas Automobile Dealers Association and was President of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators. He was a Paul Harris Fellow of the NLR Rotary Club, a 32nd degree Mason and a long-time member of Lakewood United Methodist Church and a certified lay speaker in the North Arkansas Conference of the Methodist Church. In 1972 Dave was elected to the Arkansas House of Representatives and served ten terms until 1993. He served as Assistant Speaker Pro-Tem in the 1991 session. In private life, his passions were his family, a good game of golf with friends and a day of quail hunting on Davis Ranch. Despite his business, civic and legislative duties, there was always time for his daughters, Debra Roberts (Mike Abele), and Patti Roberts Julian (Jim) and the true lights of his life – his grandchildren, Nicholas and Clayton Rogers and Katy Julian. Dave also leaves behind step-grandchildren, Candice Abele Cole (George) and Christophe Abele (Holly) and two great-grandchildren, Colette Abele and Cortland Cole, and a large number of loving nieces and nephews. We would like to thank Hospice for the care they gave Dad at the end. We are also grateful to Dr. Byron Curtner who took such good care of Dad for many years. We would especially like to thank the staff of Foxridge NLR for their excellent care the last 3-1/2 years. A special thanks to Gabriel, Bill and Nancy who were so kind and helpful daily. Memorials may be made to Lakewood United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday followed by funeral service at 11 a.m., at Lakewood United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Rest Hills Memorial Park. Arrangements by Smith – North Little Rock Funeral Home. Online obituary at www.SmithFamilyCares.com.