John Roberts

John W. Roberts, a resident of Carolina Meadows, Chapel Hill, N.C., died peacefully after a long illness on Jan. 3, 2021.

Commander Roberts graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1955, completed Naval Postgraduate school in 1964-66, and retired from active service in 1977 after a career in submarines and tactical warfare operations during the height of the Cold War. He was a Vietnam War veteran who subsequently worked for various defense contractors as an Operations Analyst.

In his private life, John was an indefatigable tinkerer and inventor who patented two characteristic inventions. He was dedicated to his spiritual life. He and his wife last attended services at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. John loved to sing in the church choir.

Cmdr. John Roberts is survived by his second wife Joanne Holden Roberts and their accumulated children Todd, Brook, Kathleen, Jennifer, George, and Thomas. He is also survived by numerous loving grandchildren. Cmdr. John W. Roberts will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be determined.