Thomas Albert Roberts was born September 23, 1934 west of Osceola, MO to Martha (Lewis) and Charles Roberts. He lived most of his life around the Osceola area. He served two years in the Army spending most of that time in Germany. After being honorably discharged from the Army in 1959 Tom began farming.
He met the love of his life, Meryle Marie Daugherty on a blind date in November 1959; they were married on a hilltop in Henry County October 16, 1960. He called her his Henry County girl and wrote a song about their life. To this union two sons were born, Paul Thomas and David Wayne. Tom was very proud of both of his boys. Tom worked at Clearfield Cheese, Golden Valley Cheese and Schreiber’s for 15 years before retiring January 7, 2000. After retiring he went back to caring for the other love of his life, his cows and farm. He and Meryle started camping and going to some bluegrass festivals. Music was a big part of Tom’s life. He got his first guitar at age 8 and learned to play it. He played and sang from the on until he got so sick he couldn’t. They always wanted him to play and sing when camping. He became ill in 2009 with an incurable disease. He fought a long hard battle to stay well and active. He lost that battle August 3, 2016 at Mercy Hospital and went home to be with his Lord.
Tom was saved as a young man. Tom started writing song and poems after he got sick, most of them about family and his life. He made a copy for each family member to remember him by.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha and Charles Roberts, daughter in law, Emma Roberts, several aunts and uncles.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Meryle of the home, sons, Paul and David, Ladon Hawks who Tom thought a lot of, grandchildren, Tama and Greg Harris, Chelsea and Ron Radford, William and Jessica Radford, Kelsey Woods, Cortney and Blaid Ashlock, Synvara Lynn Ashlock, Mason Harris, Kalvin Harris, sister Charlene Wisner, brother and sister in-law Robert and Carolyn Daugherty, cousins and many friends.
Leave a Reply