John Richard Roberts

John Richard Roberts, 86, of Washington, Oklahoma passed away on October 13, 2025, in Norman, Oklahoma. He was the son of William (Bill) and Nannie (Brown) Roberts, and was born on August 4, 1939 in the same farmhouse where he raised his own family in Washington, OK.
Even at a young age, he was always up for a good prank or joke. Some things he did would probably land someone in jail today, like the time he threw shotgun shells in the school pot bellied stove, or slung a snake around his brother's neck walking home from school. Or even the time he had to hide his car in his brother's barn because he had outrun a patrolman (though we are not sure this would be considered a prank like he did).
In 1956, John graduated Washington High School as valedictorian, and then attended Oklahoma A&M just before it became Oklahoma State University. He worked for Anthony's department store in Norman and then transferred to their Clovis, NM store. It was while living in Clovis, and managing a Gibson's retail store that John met the love of his life Carol Sue Landreth. They were married on July 5, 1968 and were married for 55 years.
When little Johnny came along, John said that he didn't know how to raise a boy in the city, so they moved back to the family farm in Oklahoma in 1976. John was a hard worker. For decades, he raised wheat, soybeans, alfalfa and hay, along with sheep and cattle on the same McClain County farm that his dad and grandad farmed for generations. While farming, he loved to help out neighbors and especially loved to demonstrate how his red tractor could pull anything faster than their green ones in the field.
While he wasn't busy farming, he volunteered as a fireman for 20 years at the Cole Volunteer Fire Department. He also served on the Washington Public School Board and was an avid 4-H and FFA club supporter.
John loved to sing and play music. He enjoyed leading songs at the Blanchard Church of Christ, and cherished times when families would meet for singing nights in each other's homes. He also liked bluegrass, and he played the mandolin alongside his brother Jim and nephew Tim as the Rocky Road Ramblers in the late 1970s.
His pranking never stopped as he grew older, and he enjoyed making his hooey sticks and other trinkets especially for anyone new in the family. Some of his favorite times were playing cards and dominoes with the grandkids. He was his grandkids biggest supporter, making it to every event he could.
He was preceded in death by his wife Carol Roberts; daughter Cindy Rose Florence; parents William and Nannie Roberts: infant sister Mary Sue Roberts, granddaughter, Rebecca Blanche.
John is survived by one son in law, Stan Florence (Sheila); one daughter, Cindy Renae Schrader of Okemah; two sons, Johnny Roberts (Jenice) of Cole, Michael Roberts (Tanya) of Fairview; one brother, Jim(Darlene) Roberts of Cole; 10 grandchildren, Rebecca, Josh, Tyler, Josh, Jess, Cole, Trey, Addy, Maci, and Camry; 12 great-grandchildren, Karter, Bentli, Francis, Laila, Bode, Jett, AJ, Ashley, Emily, Kayley, Cheyenne, and one on the way. He also had an honorary granddaughter, Colbie along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many other loved ones and friends.