Fay R. Roberts

FAY ROBERTS, 86, died July 7, at Fair Acres Nursing Home in Greeley, following a lengthy illness. Fay was born in Crystola, Colorado, on June 18, 1932, to Fredie and Evelyn Roberts. He was raised on the family ranch in Woodland Park, Colorado, where both parents lived their remaining lives.

In the summer of 1951, Fay was working at livery stable in Manitou Springs, “wrangling dudes.” Verna, on summer break after her junior year in high school, had travelled to Manitou on vacation from Emporia, Kansas, with one of the activities on her itinerary being a trail riding expedition. As fate would have it, Fay was working the day Verna appeared for her ride, and that is how the two met. The friendship forged that day on the trail blossomed into a long distance romance after Verna returned to Kansas, where she finished her senior year in high school. The night she graduated, Verna left Kansas for Woodland Park, where she and Fay were married on May 22, 1952. Three sons were born to them during the time they lived Woodland Park, where Fay worked as a farrier and stone mason.

In 1969, Fay and Verna moved their family to the Estes Park area, where, Fay continued his work as a stone & brick mason for many years before taking a job at the historic McGregor Ranch. He worked there for over twenty years, managing the angus cattle herd, restoring old buildings and equipment on the property, and performing other caretaking duties. In 1996 Fay retired from the ranch, moving with Verna to Greeley, Colorado.

Fay is survived by his wife, Verna, of 66 years, three sons and their spouses/partners, Fred Roberts & Peg Graf, Bill & Pam Roberts, Guy & Cheryl Roberts, sisters, Bonnie Groy, & Hildred Davis, brother-in-law Chuck Davis, all residing in Colorado, brother-in-law Chuck Hammer, residing in New Mexico, 14 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Fay was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Mildred Hammer.

Fay was a kind, quiet and humble man who loved deeply and was greatly beloved by all who knew him.

A service will be held at the Ponder Chapel of the YMCA in Estes Park, Colorado, on July 29, at 1:00. Friends may view an online obituary and offer condolences at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.