Clyde Roland Roberts, Lt. Colonel USMC Ret.

Clyde Roberts, born March 18, 1923 in Mexia, Texas and raised at the Masonic Home in Fort Worth died peacefully Sunday morning, April 22, 2007 at the VA Hospital in Waco, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s and cancer. Through it all he kept his trade mark sense of humor and dignity. He will be missed by the many people who knew him and were the recipients of his kindness

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Clyde was raised at the Masonic Home in Fort Worth, played on several State Championship football teams and graduated in 1941. He attended North Texas State University for a year on a football scholarship and then joined the Marine Corps in 1942. He saw combat in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam. He reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel after having started as a Private. He completed his college while serving in the military, graduating from San Diego State University.
During his military career Clyde was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal with One Star, the United Nation Service Medal, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal, the U.S. Army Distinguished Unit Citation, the World War II Victory Medal, the Korean Service Medal with Two Stars, the Vietnam Service Medal with One Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, the Bronze Star with Combat “V,” the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. Clyde served his country with distinction.
Two of the highlights of Clyde’s Marine Corps career were his tour of duty as the Assistant Attache for the Marine Corps in Tehran, Iran during the reign of the Shah and his representation of the United States as the Senior Delegate and Chairman of a SEATO Conference made up of 70 delegates from the six member nations. In 1972, after retiring from the Marines, Clyde and his wife, Trina moved to Lockhart. He was a Lockhart resident from that year until his death.
Clyde is survived by his loving wife Trina to whom he married on June 22, 1945, over 60 years ago; two children, Lawrence Gene Roberts of Newport News, Va., and Claudia Sandra Hatch of Lockhart; grandchildren, Wayne Roberts, Renee Coltrain, Ryan Roberts and Amanda Roberts of Virginia, Megan Diaz of Seattle, Wash., Dorian Hatcher of Fayetteville, Ga., Heathcliff Hatcher of San Diego, Calif., and Ashley Hatcher of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by two brothers, Frank and Gene Roberts; daughter-in-law, Janice Roberts and son-in-law, Robert Hatcher.
Clyde was preceded in death by his son, Clyde Roland Roberts Jr, sister, Willie Mae, and brothers, Charles, Erwin and Keith Roberts.
As Clyde wished to be cremated, and did not wish to have a formal burial ceremony, the family will honor his wishes and have a Memorial get-together for his friends and family at 1 p.m. on May 5, 2007 at the chapel at McCurdy’s Funeral Home. We will celebrate his life, his humor and the many kindnesses he provided us all.
Arrangements by McCurdy Funeral Home, 105 E. Pecan St., (512) 398-4791.