Jonathan R. Roberts

Jonathan R. Roberts, age 77, born in Elkin, North Carolina, passed away on April 10, 2024, in Montrose, Colorado.

After his tour of four years in the Air Force, where he served in Puerto Rico two years and then two years at NORAD, Cheyenne Mountain, outside Colorado Springs, he attended CU, Boulder. His sister, Fran had encouraged him to come West and had already spent time in the mountains and Denver and loved Colorado. After Boulder, he moved to L.A. to further his education in Journalism/cinematography at USC.

He landed work at the City of L.A. CA and remained for 29 years in the street use division, issuing use permits for construction and filming on City Streets of Los Angeles.

Jonathan had a passion for creating stained glass windows and gift articles. He also enjoyed extensive travel to countries; as Greece, Indonesia, Canada, Paris, France, Nova Scotia, Thailand, and Hawaii. He dedicated time to researching his mother's Acadian heritage. His mom had been born in Nova Scotia, Acadia (this is backing up a little) and when she was 16, after graduating high school she and two sisters left to find work in Boston. Then, later, off on another adventure, they set off for Miami, which is where she met and married her love. They moved back to the Blue Ridge mountain area of North Carolina, where her husband was from and started raising a family, Jonathan and Frances. (Then fast-forwarding a little): When the City, Los Angeles offered "early retirement" with full retirement and full insurance benefits, Jonathan, at 54 packed up possessions, turned over his stained glass business to an employee and pursued his dream of living in Paris. He immediately signed up for French language lessons and began immersing himself in the culture. He also continued his research on his mom's family heritage and found that his ancestor, Daniel LeBlanc left the Martaize region of southern France in the mid 1600s for Acadia, at the time, not N.S.

As Jonathan was enjoying living in Paris, traveling and researching his ancestors, the euro and American dollar exchange became so volatile that most Americans, including Jonathan and other expats could afford to live there no longer. … Next adventure, Thailand, where he lived for five years, hoping to return to Paris but the Euro stayed strong. When he experienced some health issues he decided to return to the U.S. and live close to his sister, Fran who was delighted to finally have family time.

He lived in Montrose 14 years until he passed away April 10. Fran has been very grateful to the nurses at HopeWest Hospice for the incredible compassion and care they gave to Jonathan and have shown to her also. She wishes to thank and be grateful to the staff, manager and owner of Heidi's Chateau.

A private family celebration of life will be held. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to HopeWest in Jonathan's name.

Crippin Funeral Home in Montrose is assisting the family. Thank you for all the prayers and positive energy you all have sent our way.