James Paxton Roberts Jr.

James Paxton Roberts, Jr. 55, died peacefully at his home in San Francisco on Sunday, September 12, after a determined struggle against lung cancer. Raised in the Philadelphia area, "Pax" will be remembered as a dedicated father to his son, Miles Henry Roberts. A 1973 graduate of The Haverford School, Pax spent summers on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and many winters skiing with family and friends. After graduating from Syracuse University, he spent a year working in Southwest Harbor, Maine and then went to Cali, Colombia, where he taught English as a second language to business executives. He returned to the United States and in 1984 worked at the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Moving to San Francisco, Paxton worked in fundraising at several institutions and as a consultant to capital campaigns. In 1988 Pax married Elizabeth Miranda and Miles was born in 1993. Pax was a true friend and "gentle" man who always saw the best in everyone and every situation. Intelligent, interesting and insightful he faced his most recent challenge with the same unwavering care for family and friends that had distinguished his life. He simply did not want others to be inconvenienced or feel sad for him. A lifelong friend said of Pax, "Everyone I talk to is sad beyond our ability to express our feelings. He exhibited such courage and grace throughout his awful ordeal." In addition to his son, Paxton is survived by his mother, Carol Roberts Pendergrass, his sister, Yardly Roberts Jenkins, his brother Frank Calvin Roberts and his former wife, Elizabeth Miranda. A memorial service is planned for Sunday, September 19, in San Francisco at 2:00P.M. at the Calvary Presbyterian Church with his interment and a memorial service at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 25, at 11:00A.M. in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may send donations in his name to the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Building 201, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA 94123.