Lonzo Lester Roberts

Lonzo Roberts passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Woodway, TX, at Regent Care Center of Woodway. He was born September 28, 1931, in Naples, TX, to Lester and Hallie Roberts. He had two younger siblings, Therman Roberts and Iva Lee Abercrombie. Both have preceded him in death. Lonzo grew up in Dalton, TX, and then the family moved to Hooks, TX, when he was 15 years old. He was a star basketball and tennis player at Hooks High School. When he wasn't playing sports, he was helping his father build their home in Hooks, TX, where his parents lived for the remainder of their lives.

During high school, he met JoDelle Roberts of New Boston, TX. They married five years later. JoDelle preceded him in death on June 2, 2024. They were married for 73 years. They had three children: Vicki Lynn Rook, Michael Bruce Roberts, and Brian David Roberts. Lonzo was offered a basketball scholarship to attend college but chose to join the army to support him and his new bride. While in the military, he served as a court reporter, thanks to his excellent typing skills.

After his military service, they moved to Dallas, where he pursued a career in the insurance business, working for various companies as an underwriter. He coached Michael and Brian in baseball during their young years and also coached basketball at Northway Baptist Church, where the family attended regularly. He and JoDelle taught Sunday school at Northway for over 30 years, and Lonzo also served as a Deacon there.

In 1984, he founded Lonzo Roberts Insurance Services. Michael joined him in the insurance business in 1990, and they worked together until they sold the agency in 2016. Lonzo retired then he and JoDelle continued traveling the world together. They loved cruising all over the world together and with friends and family. His favorite destination was Alaska. He and Jodelle also loved seeing and listening to Elvis Presley and seeing him perform at the Louisiana Hayride. He loved playing tennis throughout his life with friends at Brookhaven Country Club and with his brother Therman. He loved baseball and basketball. He loved watching Michael and Brian play in High School, College, and professionally. He was particularly fond of the Rangers and saw his dream come true last year, watching the Texas Rangers win the World Series. He was a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys and had season tickets for many years during the years of Tom Landry.

Lonzo is survived by his three children, Vicki Lynn Rook and Rick Rook of Aquilla, Michael Roberts of Horseshoe Bay, and Brian David Roberts of New Boston, TX, and four grandchildren, Brandon Rook, Katy Rook, Daniel Roberts, and Jacob Roberts. He also has a great-grandchild, Chandler Roberts. Numerous nieces, nephews, and other friends of his children adopted Lonzo as their second Dad.

He has been and will be remembered affectionately as Papaw and Uncle Lonzo, not only by his family but also by those other children on whom he had such an impact. To everyone else, he will be remembered as The Man with the Cowboy Hat!