Nelson Oliver Roberts

Nelson was born to Oliver “Ollie” Roberts and Rosie Roberts on February 7, 1928 in Houston, Texas. Nelson’s father was from Houston and his mother was from Inez, and they raised him in a devout Catholic household. His parents owned Roberts’ Cash Grocery, a successful business in the Heights area of Houston. Nelson grew up working in the store alongside his parents where he learned the value of hard work – a value that he would exemplify for the rest of his life.

Nelson was an only child but was blessed with an extensive number of cousins; because of his close relationship with them, he knew he wanted many children.

Nelson came to Austin, Texas for the last two years of high school to attend St. Edward’s Academy. After high school, he attended St. Edward’s University for two years of college.

Nelson was a spirited and outgoing student at the Academy and the University, and gained a bit of a reputation as a prankster. But thanks to his congenial nature and kind heart, he made many friends at St. Edward’s, both among his peers and the faculty.

After college, Nelson started working for different businesses doing various jobs until he found his lifelong passion: real estate. Nelson started his career in real estate working for Nash Phillips Copus (“NPC”) which was the largest builder in Austin at the time. Nelson was smart, industrious and ambitious, he quickly climbed the corporate ladder to sales manager. It was during this time that he fell in love with and married his first wife, Mickey. They had nine children together, including two sets of twins, which Nelson loved to brag about.

After NPC, Nelson went on to open up his own real estate business and also diversified into selling insurance. Roughly two years after the passing of Mickey, Nelson met Nora Sanders. It was love at first sight, and they married shortly after. They remained married for 32 amazing years. Nora had 3 children from a previous marriage, and Nelson had a wonderful relationship with his step-children. He even started a company with his stepson, Michael Sanders, where they combined insurance sales, real estate, and construction. Nelson and Michael were in business together until Nelson’s retirement at 86 years old. Nelson and Nora were able to make their dreams of living on the water come true when they retired to Seguin, Texas where they bought a home on Meadow Lake. Nelson, a lifelong fisherman, described their home on the lake as, “a little piece of paradise.”

Nelson was loved and treasured deeply by his friends and family; his grandson, Christopher Bolner Jr., aptly described him, “Nelson is an example of a true man, a gentleman, father, grandfather and husband. His characteristics and lessons that he not only preached but demonstrated everyday in his life will forever be remembered. We all loved him very much and he will always be in our hearts.” Nelson was a true inspiration to so many people. He had a zest for life, was an avid hunter and fisherman, loved to tell stories, jokes, and bring joy and laughter to those around him. He was truly a remarkable man, one of a kind.

Nelson is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Mickey, and two of their children, Michael and Kevin Roberts. He is survived by his loving wife, Nora Roberts, seven children (Janice Reynolds, Kerry Roberts, Christopher Roberts, David Roberts, Nelson O. Roberts II, Joyce Harton, and Linda Stanton), three stepchildren (Madelyn Uresti, Michael Sanders, Melanie Sanders), 30 grandchildren, and 26 great-grandchildren.

Service to be held Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 West William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749. Visitation will be from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 am followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 a.m. and then the graveside burial at 11:00 a.m.