Daniel Roberts

Daniel “Danie” David Roberts, 82, of Corpus Christi, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2014 at his home. He was born June 4, 1931 in Iraan, Texas. His family lived in Bronte, Texas before moving to Corpus Christi in 1941. Danie graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1950 and then joined the US Navy. Danie served on the USS Toledo, a heavy cruiser, off the coast of Korea for 18 months before being transferred to Sea Bee Battalion CBMU101, 1st Marine Air Wing. Before being honorably discharged in 1954 at the rank of ME-3, he received five battle stars, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, National Defense Service Ribbon, United Nations Service Ribbon, and the Korean Service Ribbon. After military service, Danie worked with his father at D Y Roberts & Son Blacksmith Shop in Clarkwood, Texas. In 1955, he began working at J.M. Dillinger Construction Company building many of the roads in South Texas. In 1984, he was hired by Hunt Tool Company, Heat Exchanger Division as a pipefitter/welder. He served in that location, working in a variety of positions from inspector to shop superintendent and for various owners (Geosource and Con-Rad Industries), before the shop closed in 1984. In 1984, he began his own business, D & N Iron Works and Welding Shop. In 2001, at the age of 70, he semi-retired, and in 2006, he transferred the business entirely over to his son, Nathan. Nathan has worked beside his father since the beginning to build a company that provides trustworthy repair service to those in the industrial community of Corpus Christi and the surrounding area. Danie married the "jewel of his life", Ruby Lee McGee, September 2, 1955, after only three brief encounters. From this 58-year union came "three Queens and a Jack", as he was so fond of saying. He often spoke to people about how proud he was of his children and that the only reason he worked so hard for so many years was to provide for them. When asked if he needed anything, his response was always "nothing except a little time and a few kind words." Danie and his family are members of the Arlington Heights Church of Christ. He was fond of church get-togethers that involved food. He loved to eat - especially pie. He often said, "The only thing better than a piece of chocolate pie is two pieces of chocolate pie." Danie was also a member of Masonic Independence Lodge #1337, A.F. & A.M. Danie is preceded in death by his parents, D.Y. and Ola Roberts, and one sister, Betty Sue Roberts. He is survived by his wife, Ruby; his children, Darlene (Steve) Burton, Nathan (Connie) Roberts, Connie (Brent) Willson, and Gail (Greg) Evans; eleven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, one sister, Stella McKinzie of Missouri, one uncle, Oliver Roberts of Oklahoma, and nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. Visitation will begin at 2 P.M. with the family present from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at Sawyer-George Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held at 12:30 P.M. Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Sawyer George Funeral Home Chapel with Brent Willson officiating with the assistance of Greg Evans and Steve Burton. Pallbearers will be his grandsons. Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 2 P.M. Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sunny Glen Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, TX 78586.