Donald Roberts, 86, of New Iberia passed away on Sunday, October 26, 2014 at 7:35 AM in his home with his wife of 63 years by his side. Mr. Roberts was born on October 20, 1928 in Palmetto, Louisiana. He was the youngest of ten children. Mr. Roberts graduated from Oakdale High School in 1946 as class Valedictorian. He joined the Navy right after high school. He served in the clean-up efforts at the end of World War 2 and was stationed in both Hawaii and Guam. After two years of service, Mr. Roberts moved to Lake Charles where he met the love of his life, Irene Marie Dartez Roberts. The two were married shortly after and Mr. Roberts re-joined the Navy. After four years of service and the birth of their first child, Mr. Roberts left the Navy and took a job with the Civil Service as a military air craft mechanic. The couple went on to have two more children. In 1989, after 40 years of working for the Civil Service, Mr. Roberts retired with his family to New Iberia, LA, where he remained until his passing. Mr. Roberts had a great love for fishing and sports. He enjoyed watching baseball and football and was very passionate about the LSU Tigers. An outdoorsman at heart, he spent his days tending to his yard fixing things around his house, and growing a delicious vegetable garden. Known affectionately to his family as, "Papo," Mr. Roberts left behind a legacy of faith and family that will be loved honored, and cherished forever. A memorial service will be held in Mr. Roberts' honor on Thursday, October 30, 2014 at 11:00 AM in the morning at David Funeral Home in New Iberia at 1101 Trotter St. Inurment will follow in St. Nicholas Mausoleum with Military Honors by V.F.W. Post 1982 and the U.S. Navy Honor Guard. He was preceded in death by: both parents, Taylor and Hattie May (Covington) Roberts of Oakdale, LA, all 9 brothers and sisters, and his second child, Patrick Stephen Roberts of New Iberia. He is survived by: his wife; Irene Marie Dartez Roberts of New Iberia, LA; his two living children, Don Michael Roberts of Albuquerque, NM and Sabrina Roberts Giroir and her husband Duane of New Iberia, LA; 5 grand-children, Michael, Jeremy, and Damien Roberts of Dallas, Texas, Brandon Roberts of Lafayette, LA and Brianna Giroir of New Iberia, LA and 3 great-grand-children, Mark, Ashley, and Ethan Roberts of Dallas, Texas. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Mrs. Irene Roberts 204 Nancy St. New Iberia, LA, 70563. You can sign the guest register book and or send condolences at www.davidfunerlhome.org David Funeral Home of New Iberia, 1101 Trotter St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.
