Kermit Dale Roberts

1936 - 2023

Kermit Dale Roberts of Exeter, Calif. passed away peacefully Sept. 16, 2023 at Quail Park Senior Living Community in Visalia, Calif. In his last few weeks, he was lovingly attended to by his wife of 60 years, Beverly Roberts, and his grandniece, Erin Vincent. He was 87 years old.

Kermit was born on July 7, 1936 in Bakersfield, Calif. to Ellis and Giva (Brokaw) Roberts of Exeter, the middle boy of three brothers. He attended Exeter High School and graduated in 1955. Kermit chose to join the US Navy for the next phase of his life, where he served well until a medical discharge cut short his career.

After his recuperation, Kermit moved back to Exeter and married his sweetheart, Beverly Newberg, of San Jose on July 21, 1963. He went to work for Longs Drugs in Visalia, and soon became the manager and expert in their camera department. Kermit was sought after for advice on camera equipment, film processing, new-fangled cassette recorders, and everything else near his corner of the store. His career at Longs Drugs was long and well-respected.

Kermit and his brothers, Nolan and Romie, were close in age and friendship, and spent many vacations, deer-hunting trips, Mojave Desert exploration expeditions, family reunions, and holidays together. They were always up for some new thing to try. One exclamation we always heard from their wives was, "Oh! Those Brothers!" When one got a dirt bike, the rest of them got dirt bikes, and they had a load of fun running them around. After the dirt bikes, they decided to get luxury road motorcycles, which they rode around on poker runs and road trips.

The brothers' families went on several camping trips together. One memorable trip was to Mineral King in the late 1960s. The kids were put to bed in the tent, and the adults were lingering around the campfire. Suddenly a bear moved out of the darkness towards them! Kermit jumped up and raised the camera he had at hand and snapped a flash picture of the bear, which startled it and caused it to run away. It was an exciting and scary story for us kids, but the biggest disappointment was that after developing, the picture had not turned out. But in our eyes, he had saved our parents by his quick action.

After his retirement, Kermit was very active in his volunteer roles. He was a proud member of AMVETS. He provided transport for other US military veterans to the Veterans Administration Hospital in Fresno. For many years he used his own vehicle and time to drive those who needed a lift for their appointments.

After living in Exeter practically his entire life, Kermit and Beverly moved to Quail Park Senior Living in Visalia in 2022. His last months were peaceful and happy as he enjoyed visits from his relatives and friends in a caring environment.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ellis and Giva (Brokaw) Roberts, and his brothers Nolan and Romie Roberts. Kermit is survived by his wife, Beverly (Newberg) Roberts; nieces and nephews, Sharlene (Rex) Roberts Caudle, Carolyn (Wes) Faubel, Nola (Randy) Petrick, Randall Roberts, Welch Roberts, and Sureena (Bruce) Cripps; and his sister-in-law, Wanda (Romie) Roberts. He also leaves behind many grandnieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

The memorial service for Kermit Roberts will be held at the Visalia Friends Meeting House, located at 17208 Avenue 296 (frontage road near the Farmersville exit on Highway 198) at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29. Following the service, dinner will be provided. Arrangements by Smith Family Chapel in Exeter, Calif. Online condolences may be sent to the family through smithfamilychapel.com.