Charles Roberts

ORAN - Charles Rodney Roberts, 53, died April 5, 2002, at his home.

Born July 19, 1948, in Vanduser, son of the late James Henry and Mary Ellen Riston Roberts, he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Oran. A graduate of Oran High School and Southeast Missouri State University at Cape Girardeau, he had owned and operated Mister Roberts Cleaners in Cape Girardeau. While serving with the U.S. Army from 1967-69, he fought in the Vietnam War with the famed Wolfhounds regiment, the 227th Infantry Battalion, 25th Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.

Roberts, who was past commander of VFW Post 3838 and the 15th District, was elected state commander in 1979. He was the first Vietnam veteran to serve as commander and the youngest commander in the history of the Missouri group. In 1981, Gov. Kit Bond appointed him director of Veterans Affairs for the state of Missouri. While serving in this position, he helped establish many of the veteran homes throughout the state.

Survivors include: two sons, James Roberts and Clayton Roberts of Jefferson City; two brothers, Ed Roberts of Morley and Paul Douglas Roberts of Oran; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Dorothy and Haskill Tubbs of St. Louis, Alma and Wayne Hopper of Rendondo Beach, Calif., and Beverly Dawn and Jeryl Slinkard of Oran; an aunt, Gladys Brown of Cape Girardeau; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation begins at 4 p.m. today at Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Oran where services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday. The Rev. Ed Carter will officiate.

VFW Post 3838 will conduct military graveside rites at Forest Hills Memorial Gardens near Morley.

Memorial contributions

may be sent to the

American Cancer Society

201 N. New Madrid

Sikeston, Mo. 63801

Paid obituary