John Roberts

Janis Znotins was born April 13, 1947 in Regensburg, Germany to Roberts Znotins and Vilma Vallija Znotins. He moved to the U.S. at the age of 13 with his Mother and was reunited with his Grandmother and extended family, who had migrated to Shreveport, Louisiana a couple of years earlier. On December 3, 1965, both John and his Mother Vilma gained their U.S. Citizenship and John took the first name of his father and became John Roberts. He then graduated from Fair Park High School in 1966 and was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967 to serve his country in Vietnam. Upon his Honorable discharge from duty as a Sargent, he attended Northwestern Louisiana State University where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Beta Omicron Chapter. He would later become a Police Officer for the City of Shreveport, Louisiana. While serving on the police force he attended Louisiana State University Shreveport and was a student of the first class to graduate LSUS with a four-year degree in Business Administration.

Upon receiving his degree, John began his career in the Oil Field as a “Mud Engineer”. He started at Milchem Incorporated in 1975 and worked for over 30 years for various firms, even starting his own Oilfield Consulting Firm (John Roberts Consulting). This opportunity would take him to Nigeria, Africa where he worked many years consulting for International Drilling Fluids. He was well respected in his profession and known by his peers as a “Damn Good Mud Engineer”. In 1992 John Roberts Consulting was awarded the authorization to represent the trade interests of the Republic of Latvia. This honor was bestowed upon him by the Ministry of Foreign Trade for the Republic of Latvia. It would bring him great pride as this was the birth place of both his parents. He would later retire from Schlumberger after many years of dedicated service to the “Oil Patch” as he fondly called it.

In retirement, John kept busy as the Head of Security for The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Texas. As with all of his professions, he took great pride in a job well done and was appreciated for his dedication to the institution. He was a traveled man, who spoke both English and German fluently. He enjoyed the cuisine of both Germany and Latvia. His love for German pretzels and Latvian “Piragis” will be remembered. He loved watching sports and notably the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, FC Bayern Munchen and the LSU Tigers. He made sure that he always had a picture on the wall of each child and grandchild and loved to reminisce on when and where they were taken. He loved a good conversation and was a spirited man that never shied away from a good debate, whether it be political in nature or otherwise. He created much from humble beginnings and his memory will live on with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his children: Jennifer Christine Stephenson (Andy) of Bossier City, Louisiana, John Jason Roberts of Conroe, Rebecca McWhirter (Ronnie) of Conroe, Vinita Hammonds (Jared) of Conroe and his grandchildren: Madisen Roberts of The Woodlands, Nicholas Stephenson of Bossier City, Louisiana, Macy Roberts of The Woodlands, Robert and Ryan McWhirter of Conroe and Mackenzie Hammonds of Conroe.

His service will be on August 26, 2019, 10:30 am at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr. Houston, TX. 77038. He will be remembered with a full honor guard presentation of the colors and a twenty one gun salute to commemorate his service to the United States and the U.S. Army.