William Jack Roberts Jr.

Jack Roberts’ remarkable life began on June 9, 1949, when he was born to Bonnie Abernathy Roberts and Jack Roberts, Sr., in Austin, Texas. From the beginning, Jack was always interested in politics and law, interests he no doubt inherited from his father, who, at the time Jack was born, was a state district judge who would later be appointed to the federal bench by President Lyndon Johnson.

Jack excelled at an early age. The Austin High School 1967 Yearbook records many of his leadership accomplishments, including Class President, Outstanding Student, President of the National Honor Society and one of two seniors “Most Likely to Succeed.” More notably to Jack, Austin High School gave him some of his closest friends, friends that would remain so throughout his life.

After graduating from the University of Texas, Jack used his government degree to good advantage, beginning work for Governor Preston Smith, with whom he often traveled and helped manage the Governor’s appointments and schedule. Governor Smith later assigned him to the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice where he served as Assistant Administrator from 1973 to 1977.

In 1977, Jack began his long association with Bob Bullock shortly after Bullock was elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Bullock had campaigned on the promise of modernizing the office, and one of his early steps in that process was recruiting Jack as his executive assistant. Bullock later promoted Jack to Associate Deputy Comptroller, and in 1983 to Chief Deputy Comptroller. When Bullock was elected Lt. Governor in 1990, Jack left the Comptroller’s office and began a private governmental affairs practice where he fostered close relationships with every Texas Governor and many state officials over a thirty-year career.

Jack’s life became even more remarkable in 1981, when he met Janet Guttman at a party at Mark Silverstone’s house in Austin. They became inseparable after that, and Jack and Janet were married in January 1982. Together, Jack and Janet have set a high bar for public service and civic contribution. Jack’s past and current memberships on various non-profit boards include the Humane Society of Austin and Travis County, the Children’s Cancer Center, KLRU, Austin Lyric Opera, Hill Country Wine and Food Festival, the Austin Heart Foundation, Knights of the Symphony, and the Henry’s Fork Foundation, where Jack has served as Chair.

A memorial service honoring Jack’s life will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made in Jack’s memory to the Henry’s Fork Foundation, P.O. Box 550, Ashton, Idaho 83420, to Austin Pets Alive, 1156 W Cesar Chavez St. Austin, Texas 78703 or to a charity of your choice.