Gary Roberts

Beaver Gary Bruce Roberts passed away peacefully on April 19, 2024. He was the son of Howard Bruce Roberts and Marjorie Reno Roberts and brother of Donnie Roberts, all who preceded him in death. Gary is survived by his wife, Alvita Ison Roberts, and five children. Ian (Joanne) Kearney of Waverly, Ohio, Seth (Ruby) Kearney of Beaver, Ohio, Ryan (Crystal) Roberts of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Brooke (Rory) Luce of Goshen, Ohio, and Blake Roberts of Cincinnati, Ohio. Gary leaves behind eight beautiful grandchildren, Makayla, Zachary, Declan, Kylan, Britton, Liliana, Grayson, and Mila whom they called "Papaw". He is also survived by a half-brother, Johnny Roberts, of Piketon, Ohio. Gary was a 1965 graduate of Piketon High School and received a scholastic scholarship to Ohio State University where he attended for two years and later graduated from Ohio University after military service. In 1968, Gary joined the United States Army and graduated from the U.S. Army School of Military Intelligence in Baltimore, Maryland. Gary was a proud Vietnam Veteran after serving in Vietnam for two years. Gary earned a Good Conduct Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, a Bronze Star Medal with a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with a Palm Unit, and a Vietnam Service Medal with one silver and two bronze service stars.

After his military career, in 1971, Gary joined Pike County Department of Job & Family services as a caseworker and started the first child support program. In 1977, Gary became a caseworker with the Pike County Children Services Board, ultimately growing into the position of Director of Children Services. In 1982, Gary led efforts to grow the Community Health Center program under the Community Action Committee of Pike County. By 2000, Gary had established health center operations in four counties, increasing staffing and services within the community. Gary joined the Pike Metropolitan Housing Authority in 2000 as the Director of the agency overseeing Public Housing and Section 8 housing programs and leading the development of a housing unit in Waverly, Ohio. Gary served as the Director for Community Action Committee of Pike County from 2012-2016. In 2016, Gary became the Director of Operations for the Family Medical Center program under the Ironton Lawrence County Community Action Agency and proudly served six years of service there. Gary returned to the Community Action Committee of Pike County as Acting Director of Operations for Valley View Health Centers in 2022 and finally retired in May of 2023 after working 51 consecutive years. Gary's passion for his community and commitment to serve never tired from designing new programs to assisting those in need.

Gary also had a very active social life. Gary's primary hobby was pitching competitive horseshoes. Gary was the Junior World Champion for four consecutive years. He was the Ohio State Champion in 1981. Gary was President of the Ohio Horseshoe Pitching Association from 2004 to 2024. Gary was a proud member of the Ohio and National Horseshoe Hall of Fame. During his tenure as a horseshoe pitcher, he became involved with Jukskei, a traditional South African throwing sport. Gary had traveled to South Africa and Namibia on at least five occasions to promote horseshoe pitching and participate in their tournaments. Gary's promotion of the sport led his South African friends to compete in some of the World Horseshoe Pitching Tournaments. Gary also traveled to Turkey and Lithuania promoting horseshoes and Jukskei. Gary and the Reno Family have also participated in horseshoe exhibitions at Bob Evans Farm Festival held in Rio Grande, Ohio for over 50 years. Gary was an avid runner, competing in races for over 40 years including the Columbus Marathon seven times and the Boston Marathon in 1990. Gary also enjoyed playing basketball and was a devoted weightlifter for the past fifteen years.

Gary attended the Stockdale United Christian Church. Gary's funeral service will be held at Boyer's Funeral Home in Waverly, Ohio on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be held -from 5:00 - 7:00 Wednesday, April 24, 2024, and one hour prior to the service Thursday. A reception for family and friends will be held at Stockdale United Christian Church after the funeral services. Gary will be buried at Beaver Union Cemetery in Beaver.

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