Lt. Col. James Wallace Roby

James was born in Nocona, Texas. He was predeceased by his parents Daisy Mae Glosup and John Charles Roby, two brothers, Charles and Harold Roby, and wife Jeanette Roby. He is survived by his sister, Hazel Ramsbotham, his two daughters Kristi Hill and Lori Wilson, son John Roby, eight grandchildren, and twelve great grandchildren.

From an early age James excelled at school and by his senior year was the Valedictorian of his graduating class. At eighteen he enlisted in the Army Air Force (aka Army Air Corps) and spent twenty-nine years serving his country as a pilot and trainer flying the F105, a supersonic fighter-bomber. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean Conflict, Peacetime and Vietnam. In 1964, James was a freshman in college when he met and married the love of his life, Jeanette, his wife of 57 years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Arizona State University. Upon retirement, James worked for Texas DPS as an Emergency Resource Coordinator.

His many hobbies included gardening, wood turning/carving, hunting, fishing, bee keeping, and participating in investment clubs. He enjoyed reading, especially history. Another favorite past time included communicating with family and friends through HAM radio.

His passionate love for all things mechanical showed up as a boy when he and his brother Charles would secretly remove the engine from his mom’s old time washing machine and attach it to their homemade go kart.

James cherished his family and friends and loved spending quality time with them.

He lived a long, joyous life, full of adventure and has taken his final flight home.

Visitation for James will be held Sunday, January 15, 2023 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North Interstate 35, Pflugerville, Texas 78660.

The funeral service will occur Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 3:00 p.m., at Great Hills Baptist Church, 10500 Jollyville Rd., Austin, Texas 78759. Those attending the funeral are invited to attend the reception immediately following. Committal and interment will be 9:30 a.m., Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org.