Obituary for Edward Arthur Roberts Jr.
Edward Arthur Roberts Jr. passed away on March 18, 2023, at the age of 82. Visitation will be 10 am to Noon, with the Funeral Service beginning at Noon, both on Saturday, March 25th at the Bonner Springs United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Bonner Springs Cemetery.
Ed, Jr. was born on February 22, 1941, and was a beloved member of his community in Bonner Springs, Kansas, as well as a dedicated family man. He grew up in Bonner Springs and graduated from Bonner Springs High School in the Class of 1959. His successful career in the car industry began in 1964, working in his father's car dealership, Ed Roberts Chevrolet, with his hard work and dedication, Ed helped grow the business into a far-reaching and formidable enterprise, with dealerships across Kansas City, Kansas, the state of Missouri, and beyond. Ed was widely respected in the industry for his business acumen and dedication to customer service. He served on the Board of the National Automotive Dealers Association and was a very generous person who took pride in giving back to the community. Every year, he would take on the role of a “Secret Santa” paying for things he could, and he donated to places like Children’s Mercy and Saint Luke's Hospital. In addition to his business achievements, Ed was an active member of his community. He served on the Bonner Springs city council in the 1970s and on the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Board of Education from 1986 to 1994. Together with his brother Keith, they founded the Kerry Lee Roberts Youth Basketball League in 1984 and donated land to the city that would become Kerry Roberts Park in 1988. Ed met his wife, Barbara, on a blind date while attending the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. They hit it off immediately and went on to spend 60 happy years together. In his personal life, Ed was a passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed annual pheasant and quail hunting trips in Kansas and South Dakota. He was also a devoted dog lover and had many over the years, including his beloved dog, Tobey, who outlived him. They spent their winters in Palm Desert, California, and also had a house at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ed was a passionate fan of KU basketball and the Kansas City Royals.
Ed was preceded in death by his father, Ed Roberts Sr., his mother, Maxine Claire Lewis, his mother, Lois Annette Braun Roberts, his brother, Rene Richard Roberts and his nephew, Kerry Lee Roberts.
Ed is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their two children, daughter Robin Roberts of Shawnee, KS and son John Roberts and wife Missy of Bonner Springs. He was a proud grandfather to three grandchildren, including Jacob Burton, son of Robin Roberts. Mason Roberts, and Kaylan Roberts, who are the children of his son, John Roberts. He is also survived by his brother, Keith Roberts and wife Karen of Leawood, KS, and his sisters, Sheryl Ann Chadwick and husband Chad of Bonner Springs, and Kathy Jo Stapp and husband Michael of Shawnee, KS. Ed will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. His legacy as a successful businessman, devoted family man, and loyal friend will continue to inspire those who knew him.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Kerry Roberts Park (Checks payable to the City of Bonner Springs with Kerry Roberts Park in the Memo line) or the Bonner Animal Rescue. Contributions can be given at the Visitation & Funeral or mailed to the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, 214 Oak St. Bonner Springs, KS. 66012.
Ed, Jr. was born on February 22, 1941, and was a beloved member of his community in Bonner Springs, Kansas, as well as a dedicated family man. He grew up in Bonner Springs and graduated from Bonner Springs High School in the Class of 1959. His successful career in the car industry began in 1964, working in his father's car dealership, Ed Roberts Chevrolet, with his hard work and dedication, Ed helped grow the business into a far-reaching and formidable enterprise, with dealerships across Kansas City, Kansas, the state of Missouri, and beyond. Ed was widely respected in the industry for his business acumen and dedication to customer service. He served on the Board of the National Automotive Dealers Association and was a very generous person who took pride in giving back to the community. Every year, he would take on the role of a “Secret Santa” paying for things he could, and he donated to places like Children’s Mercy and Saint Luke's Hospital. In addition to his business achievements, Ed was an active member of his community. He served on the Bonner Springs city council in the 1970s and on the Bonner Springs-Edwardsville Board of Education from 1986 to 1994. Together with his brother Keith, they founded the Kerry Lee Roberts Youth Basketball League in 1984 and donated land to the city that would become Kerry Roberts Park in 1988. Ed met his wife, Barbara, on a blind date while attending the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas. They hit it off immediately and went on to spend 60 happy years together. In his personal life, Ed was a passionate outdoorsman who enjoyed annual pheasant and quail hunting trips in Kansas and South Dakota. He was also a devoted dog lover and had many over the years, including his beloved dog, Tobey, who outlived him. They spent their winters in Palm Desert, California, and also had a house at the Lake of the Ozarks. Ed was a passionate fan of KU basketball and the Kansas City Royals.
Ed was preceded in death by his father, Ed Roberts Sr., his mother, Maxine Claire Lewis, his mother, Lois Annette Braun Roberts, his brother, Rene Richard Roberts and his nephew, Kerry Lee Roberts.
Ed is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their two children, daughter Robin Roberts of Shawnee, KS and son John Roberts and wife Missy of Bonner Springs. He was a proud grandfather to three grandchildren, including Jacob Burton, son of Robin Roberts. Mason Roberts, and Kaylan Roberts, who are the children of his son, John Roberts. He is also survived by his brother, Keith Roberts and wife Karen of Leawood, KS, and his sisters, Sheryl Ann Chadwick and husband Chad of Bonner Springs, and Kathy Jo Stapp and husband Michael of Shawnee, KS. Ed will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. His legacy as a successful businessman, devoted family man, and loyal friend will continue to inspire those who knew him.
Memorial Contributions can be made to the Kerry Roberts Park (Checks payable to the City of Bonner Springs with Kerry Roberts Park in the Memo line) or the Bonner Animal Rescue. Contributions can be given at the Visitation & Funeral or mailed to the Alden-Harrington Funeral Home, 214 Oak St. Bonner Springs, KS. 66012.