John Morris Roberts

John M. Roberts passed away on December 12, 2023 in Round Rock, Texas, at the age of 78. He lived his life with few regrets. He lived in Victoria, Texas for his entire life, with only brief exceptions for college and military service, but he loved to travel the country.

He was born to the late Morris and Camille Roberts at the beginning of the post-war baby boom. Being the younger sibling to Kay, he took up mischief and pranks from his boyhood into adulthood.

After growing up in a newspaper family, he studied journalism at the University of Texas at Austin where he met his wife, Sharon. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1968 during the Vietnam War. He loved to regale his family with stories of life on base and off while serving overseas in Thailand. He later moved to Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Oscoda on the upper peninsula of Michigan in 1970, the coldest place he had ever been.

When his father suffered a health scare, he left the Air Force in 1972 and returned home to Victoria and embarked on a career at the Victoria Advocate newspaper. His father would go on to live well for many years, and John stayed in Victoria. They enjoyed hunting deer and hogs and playing card games. John also nurtured his love of fishing for trout and redfish along the Texas Gulf Coast near Port O’Connor.

In Victoria, he had two children, Patrick and Ann. Growing up in his household was never dull. He was always ready for an outdoor adventure, whether fishing, hunting, or golf, or just an excuse to play dominos with friends by the fire. His house was filled with thick books and magazine subscriptions from leading publications of culture and politics. He was always ready to question, gently debate, and explore the latest in what he read. He treasured time with his sister, nieces and nephews, and friends.

He rose up the ranks of the Victoria Advocate and led the newspaper to multiple awards for its writing, photography, and design. He stepped down as publisher in 2011 and as chairman of the board in 2020. He also assumed leadership roles in the Texas Daily Newspaper Association, including as president, navigating the industry through changing technology and market conditions. He received the Pat Taggart Award as Texas Newspaper Leader of the Year for 1989. The Advocate is the second oldest newspaper in Texas and the oldest west of the Colorado River. It continues in family ownership as part of M. Roberts Media.

Roberts served as president of the Victoria Economic Development Corporation, the Victoria Rotary Club, the Victoria Boys Club, and the Victoria chapter of the American Cancer Society. He also served as director and vice-president of the Victoria Chapter of Commerce and as chairman of the University of Houston-Victoria President’s Advisory Council. He served on the boards of many nonprofit organizations including the boards of Citizens Medical Center and the Victoria Airport Commission.

While he was proud to serve his community, one of his more lighthearted accomplishments was to establish an annual Texas vs. Georgia bocce tournament. He served as the captain of the Texas team. The friendly rivalry was held in many different locations, but in recent years moved to South Padre Island, Texas. He preferred the endless beach as his bocce court, rather than the traditional manicured grass.

He married Donna Wyrick (Roberts) in 1992, after she moved to Victoria from Atlanta and, before that, Tennessee. They bonded over their love of the outdoors, travel, and dedication to serving their community. Donna and John built a life of zestful curiosity and outdoor adventures. The first time John introduced Donna to his children was on a camping trip. They spent weekends at the coast, and eventually purchased a Trawler boat and travelled the Gulf Coast for Texas to Florida. More recently, they enjoyed RV life, exploring roads from Oregon to New Mexico, and then from Texas to Rhode Island. Up until his recent illness, he was planning his next adventure to the South Dakota Badlands, hardscrabble territory different than the plains of South Texas he knew so well.

He is survived by his wife, Donna Roberts of Victoria, TX, his children, Patrick Roberts and his husband Jose Del Real, of Washington DC and Ann Koonce and her husband Sam, of Round Rock, TX, two grandchildren Morris Killebrew and Helen Koonce of Round Rock, TX. He also is survived by his sister, Kay McHaney of Victoria, TX, and one niece and three nephews. John was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church of Victoria, TX.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 4PM to 6PM at Colonial Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 at 2PM at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1501 North Glass Street in Victoria, TX. The service will be preceded by a private burial at Memorial Park Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers are Joe Cohen, Jay Lack, Tom Carey, Chris Thompson, Clyde Walrod and Jay Cliburn. Honorary pallbearer is Tom Marchbanks.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Morris Roberts Local Journalism Foundation, c/o The Victoria Advocate, P.O. Box 1518, Victoria, TX 77902.