Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND001 - SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 272115
Title: James A. "Red" Roberts
Date: 12/16/1937-4/1/2026
Inscription/Marks: 12/16/1937
Summary: James A. Roberts, affectionately known as "Red," passed away peacefully on April 1, 2026, at the age of 88, in Dickinson, ND. In accordance with Red's wishes, cremation has taken place and a private Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date (details pending). Red was born in Lott, TX, to Floyd and Mary (Jenkins) Roberts. He spent his early years on a ranch in Los Angeles, TX, and attended school in Cotulla, graduating in 1957. Red began his career in the oil field while still in high school. Red worked for major companies including Sharp Drilling, L Aquitaine, and Gulf Oil. In time, his dedication and expertise were recognized, and he advanced quickly. His work took him throughout the United States and to the Middle East. Not long after high school, he met the love of his life, Anita, and they married in 1958. Together, they welcomed four children and lived for several years in Monahans, TX, before relocating to Dickinson in 1977. In Dickinson, he established Red's Consulting and, with partners, helped develop additional businesses. In 1990, Red began a new chapter in Kuwait, where he assisted in combating oil fires and working to plug and reenter oil wells in the aftermath of Desert Storm. He remained with Kuwait Oil for 25 years, retiring at the age of 75. Red was a Mason and a Shriner, which reflected his generous spirit. Above all, Red loved his family. He found joy on the water, particularly during fishing trips with his sons, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He valued family gatherings, enjoyed barbecuing meals on the grill, and appreciated a good game of cribbage or dominoes. He took great pride in his garden and lawn. Red was always pleased to visit about football, whether professional or collegiate. A devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, he had a brick at the stadium and treasured attending games with his sons, son-in-law, and grandsons, as well as watching from home with the volume turned up "loud." Red is survived by his beloved wife, Anita Louise Roberts; his daughter, Rena (Ken) Kadrmas; his son, James (JR) Roberts Jr. (Colleen); and his daughter-in-law, Renee Roberts; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; his brother, Harry Roberts (Annette); his sister, Rosemary Talkington; and many other cherished family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sons, Michael Roberts and Floyd (Bo) Roberts; and his brothers Robert, Teddy, Marvin, George, and Donald.
Red ID: FND_I_79608 Image ID: 556855 Image Notes: FND001 272115

Collection: FND001 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program
Date: -

Summary: The North Dakota Heritage Family Memorial Program is sponsored by the North Dakota Funeral Directors Association. The life stories of deceased North Dakotans are featured in an archvied collection. Current partners in the project are Eastgate Funeral & Cremation Services, Bismarck Evans Funeral Homes, Carrington and New Rockford Everson-Coughlin Funeral Home, Williston Fulkerson Funeral Home, Tioga Fulkerson Funeral Home, Watford City Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home, Williston Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau Parkway Funeral Service, Bismarck Springan Stevenson Funeral Home, Stanley Stevenson Funeral Home, Dickinson These funeral homes provide recent obituaries to the Foundation, where staff and volunteers format, edit and archive each memorial. The memorials are posted, and copies are sent to the family for their input and approval. The listing currently features more than 13,000 memorials, and is constantly updated as new memorials and histories are received.

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