Obituary: George Henry Roberts

George Henry Roberts, Capt. USAF Retired, age 81, of Powell, formerly of Heiskell, passed away Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Knoxville.

George spent 22 years, 11 months, and eight days serving in the U.S. Air Force, and he was very proud of his military career, which included time in Vietnam. While in the Air Force, he worked as a nuclear reactor systems tech, radio communications tech, and an electrical systems officer.

During his civilian career, he worked for Millers Department Store in the maintenance department, Modine Manufacturing, and Precision Disc Corporation.

George retired in 1990 to enjoy his combined family, woodworking, engraving, and traveling. He attended Black Oak Baptist Church in Clinton and also made many visits to Second Baptist Church in Clinton.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Karl Hampton Roberts and Helen Gould Fulton Roberts; brothers, Wade, Robert, and Carl Roberts; and sisters, Ruth Beth Roberts Bray Willard and Mary Fulton Roberts Bragg.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Dorris Roberts of Powell; daughters, Ginger Roberts (Denny Hatcher) of Audubon, Pa, Cindy Roberts (Jean Louis Flechon) of Zurich, Switzerland, and Gretchen Roberts of Lenoir City; stepsons, Douglas Cooper (Jenny) of Clinton, Gregory Cooper (Carole) of Oak Ridge; brother, Joe Roberts (Lona) of Wise, Va.; sister, Martha Ann Holifield (Jim) of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Tommy Lynn Avelar (Philip) of Trooper, Pa., Forrest and Hannah Easterly of Knoxville, Sonya and Eloise Flechon of Zurich, Switzerland, Brittainy Cooper Barger (Eric) of Clinton, Alexis Cooper of Clinton, G. Brandon Cooper of Oak Ridge, Sammie and Zac Cooper of Clinton, and five great-grandsons.

Honorary Pallbearers are Jeff Saylor, Tim Saylor, Eric Barger, G. Brandon Cooper, Dalton White, Greg Cooper, Doug Cooper, and Zac Cooper.

George’s family received his friends on Sunday, May 18, from 2–4 p.m. with his Celebration of Life immediately following at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Jones Mortuary with Rev. Larry Pugh officiating. His interment was Monday, May 19, at 9:30 a.m. at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville with full military honors.

Jones Mortuary in Clinton is in charge of all arrangements.