Jack Wilbur Roberts

ROBERTS, Jack Wilbur, age 73, of Brandon FL, passed away May 13, 2012 surrounded by his loving family at his home. Jack is survived by the “Love of his life”, wife Rosalee, his four adult sons, Sid (Nicole), Chad (Maribel), Jeff (Megan), Phillip (Cary) Roberts; his siblings Betty (Charles) Grimes, Charles (Mamie) Roberts, Ken (Marcia) Roberts. He also leaves behind Carolyn Ann Zeigler Snider, Jackie, Shawn, Shepherd, MacKenzie, and 57 + nieces, nephews and grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents, siblings John Roberts and Evelyn Chancey, and sisters in law Harline and Veronica. Jack was born in 1938 to Ruth and Everett Roberts in Plant City. In 1956 he graduated from Plant City High School and went to work for the Florida Department of Transportation as a clerk typist, then Chief of a field survey crew overseeing the surveying of I-4. In 1960 he entered the FDOT engineer training program. He served 8 years in the Florida Army National Guard ranking to a 1st Lieutenant. In 1966, at 28 years of age, Jack was appointed as the lead project engineer of construction of the parallel Sunshine Skyway Bridge. He took and passed his Professional Engineer Exam with no formal college degree. Among many of his accomplishments with FDOT, Jack developed and implemented the above and underwater bridge inspection program still used to this day, the wildflower program used throughout the state, Contract Maintenance Program, the 1985 Highway Litter Bill, clearing of Skyway Bridge disaster, and secured Bailey Bascule Temporary Emergency Bridging used in the state of Florida, and developed the Maintenance Management System. He was the Assistant State Construction Engineer, State Bridge Engineer, and the State Maintenance Engineer of Florida over all roads, bridges, equipment and rest areas in Florida. In 1987 Jack retired and relocated to Tampa, Florida where he accepted a position as Director of Marketing with David Volkert and Associates Engineering Firm. Throughout his 23 years with DVA, his integrity; being a man of his word and diligent worker, he rose to Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of DVA. While at DVA they designed the Sand Key Bridge, Maintenance and Inspection of all bridges in the Tri-County Area, including the new Sunshine Skyway Bridge and numerous projects throughout the state. He retired in March of 2010. Jack always placed great importance on his family and spending time with them at home and cruising various ports of call, visiting New Orleans, New York City, Paris France, and St. Pete Beach. He enjoyed cooking, fine dining, attending church and worshiping with family and friends, and his greatest delight, spending time alone with his cherished and loving wife. Whenever questioned about his rise from a poor East Hillsborough small child picking strawberries in Plant City to his immense accomplishments personally, and exciting and rewarding professional career, he would respond….” The Only Answer I Have Is That GOD Was Watching Over Me”. Visitation will be Thursday, May 17, 2012 from 6 pm to 8 pm at Wells Memorial Funeral Home and 1pm to 2 pm with a funeral service to follow on Friday the 18th at Bell Shoals Baptist Church. On line condolences may be offered at www.wellsmemorial.com.