Harry Morris Roberts, Jr.

Harry M. Roberts, Jr., beloved husband and father, legal and philanthropic leader, and scholar of the law and many subjects, passed away on February 23, 2023. Born on June 10, 1938 in Dallas, Mr. Roberts was educated at Jesuit High School, Southern Methodist University, and Harvard Law School. At SMU, he was President of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and the Blue Key Senior Men’s Honorary and was selected for Cycen Fjodr all school honorary, which recognizes the ten most promising men in the SMU senior class.

Mr. Roberts practiced law for over fifty years with the law firm Thompson & Knight in Dallas, where he was a founder and served for many years as the head of its Real Estate Section. Recognized as a scholar of the law, he trained scores of young attorneys and educated many with his encyclopedic and ever-current legal knowledge. He served three terms on the Firm’s Management Committee. He also served as Chairman of the Real Estate, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the State Bar of Texas, Chairman of the Real Estate Section of the Dallas Bar Association, and Chairman of the State Bar of Texas Title Insurance Section, which was instrumental in bringing about numerous changes to the title insurance rules and forms in Texas. In addition, Mr. Roberts was head of an ad hoc committee of attorneys that was the moving force in passing a Large Loan Exemption to the usury law in Texas.

Throughout his life, Mr. Roberts consistently expanded his knowledge in numerous subjects—from theology to history to law. An excellent educator, Mr. Roberts taught as an adjunct professor at SMU Dedman School of Law for five years, teaching an advanced real estate course. He also taught as a Visiting Professor at the University of Texas School of Law. Mr. Roberts wrote over fifty articles and presentations concerning real estate law. He was a member of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and was named to The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA (Real Estate) and other legal honorary organizations. He was a member of the American Bar Foundation, Texas Bar Foundation, and Dallas Bar Foundation.

Acting on his guiding principle of the importance of service, Mr. Roberts was a founder and longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Shelter Ministries of Dallas which operates the Austin Street Shelter and Genesis Women’s Shelter, twice serving as Chairman of the Board. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the Conference on Crimes Against Women and the Episcopal Foundation of Dallas. A man of deep faith, Mr. Roberts was a member of the Church of the Incarnation, serving on the Vestry twice. He also was a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Dallas Country Club, and Coon Creek Club.

Mr. Roberts fully invested himself in creating a thriving and happy family, enriching his wife, two children, and many others with invaluable gifts of character, love, a broad-minded interest in the world, and a generous heart. His quick wit and sly sense of humor delighted family and friends. Described as a true gentleman, his life was a gift to all around him. He was predeceased by his parents, Harry M. Roberts, Sr. and La Frances Reilly Roberts, his sister Frances Albright, and his brother Richard Roberts. He is survived by his wife, Nancy Beth Johnson Roberts, and children Whit Roberts and Lee Roberts Thompson, their spouses Kristen Busby Roberts and David Thompson, and grandchildren Whitfield Roberts, Bethany Roberts, India Taylor Roberts, Elizabeth Thompson, Margaret Thompson, and Catherine Thompson, and his sister Mary Sue Kiker, as well as in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial gifts may be made to Austin Street Shelter, Genesis Women’s Shelter, the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and Church of the Incarnation.

A Memorial Service celebrating Harry Roberts’ life will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Church of the Incarnation, 3966 McKinney Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75204.