Roll Call Tribute

Published in Houston Chronicle on August 5, 2012

Clarence Roberts
Clarence Francis Roberts (COL retired, Corps of Engineers), Legion of Merit recipient, died in El Paso, TX on July 7, 2012. Born in Jasper, TX in 1915 to Om Seale and Clarence Francis Roberts, "Prex" (as he was known to all) graduated from Sugar Land High School (Valedictorian) in 1932 and Texas A&M University (Distinguished Military Graduate) in 1936 with a BS in Electrical Engineering. In 1936, he married his high school sweetheart, June Smith. They enjoyed adventures and traveled throughout the nation and the world due to his varied military assignments.
Prior to receiving his Regular Army Commission in 1947, COL Roberts served as an electrical engineer with Texas Electric Company (Fort Worth, TX) and Houston Lighting and Power.
In WWII, COL Roberts served in the Rainbow Division; he commanded an Engineer Construction Battalion in Korea, 1952 - 1953; and was assigned to Oakland Army Base during the Vietnam War.
Other assignments during his 32 years of military service included Fourth Army Engineer, Fort Sam Houston, TX (1962 - 1965); Officer in Charge, Peru Project Inter American Geodetic Survey (1959 - 1962), Lima, Peru; Director of Engineering, Fort Sill, OK (1955 - 1959) and Fort Hood, TX (1965 - 1968); and Construction Management Officer, US Army Forces Far East, Camp Zama, Japan (1953 - 1955).
During these assignments, COL Roberts was active in community and church activities. Upon retirement in 1968, he worked as faculty at Central Texas College and as a project engineer on the Fort Hood Total Solar Project at the American Technological University, Killeen, TX. He also did volunteer work for the American Red Cross at Darnall Army Hospital and the VITA tax preparation assistance program. COL Roberts was a scratch golfer, winning many tournaments, taught himself to sail and then built a 15-foot sailboat, and excelled at bridge, chess, crossword and word jumble puzzles, gardening, and his homebrew.
A Registered Professional Engineer, Texas, COL Roberts was also a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the American Institute of Electrical Engineers, and the Society of American Military Engineers.
Preceded in death by his father, mother, wife, and sister, Kathryn Roberts Young, COL Roberts is survived by his children, Jon Brent (Maria), Pocatello, ID, and Robin Anne, El Paso, TX, and granddaughter, Evelyn Roberts Ward, Houston, TX.
Donations in his name to The Association of Former Students, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX are welcomed.
Interment will follow a private ceremony to be held at a later date at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com