James Doyle Roberts

Shawnee resident James Doyle Roberts, 60, passed away Friday, August 25, 2017. The family will be at Walker Funeral Service on Wednesday from 5pm to 7pm to receive friends.    Services will be 10:00 A.M Thursday, August 31, 2017 at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee.  Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Tulsa Burn Camp.                                                                          James D. Roberts was born November 20, 1956 in Little Rock, Arkansas to Doyle Roberts and Clara (Wilbanks) Roberts.  He married Kathy (Schroeder) on February 14, 1984. James D. Roberts served a total of 37 years in the military.  He joined the Army on 26 November 1975 and attended Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  He served four years as an enlisted Soldier on active duty as an Armor Tank Crewmember with assignments in 3rd Infantry Division, West Germany and 5th Infantry Division, Fort Polk, Louisiana.  He joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard on 26 June 1986.  Prior to his appointment as a Warrant Officer, James served in a variety of assignments in the Oklahoma Army and Air National Guard and the United States Army Reserve, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant in 1993.  CW5 Roberts appointed as a Warrant Officer on 21 March 1997 at Fort Rucker, Alabama.  As a Warrant Officer, he has served at every major level in the U.S. Army to include assignments in Recruiting and Retention Command, Joint Force Headquarters, National Guard Bureau, Army Human Resources Command and the Pentagon.  CW5 Roberts deployed to Kuwait for eight months in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.   CW5 Roberts is a graduate of the U.S. Army Air Assault School, Battle Staff Course, Human Resources Technician Warrant Officer Basic and Advance Courses, Warrant Officer Staff Course and Warrant Officer Senior Staff Course.  He was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer 5 on 26 August 2013. CW5 Roberts current position was as the senior advisor on human resources systems, personnel policy and guidance to the G1 and primary advisor to The Adjutant General on all General Officer personnel actions.   CW5 Roberts was an invaluable member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard and affected the lives and careers of countless service members.  His absences will be felt throughout the organization.   In addition to his extensive military service, James Roberts served 21 years with the Shawnee Fire Department from March 17, 1980 through August 31, 2001.  He started as a Firefighter and worked his way up through the ranks serving in the positions of Driver, Training Officer and Deputy Fire Chief before being appointed as the 15th Fire Chief of the Shawnee Fire Department on June 20, 1994.  During his time “on-line” he was known as a hard-working Firefighter who wouldn’t be out-worked on the fire ground and would do whatever was needed to get the job done.  He aggressively pursued fire-service education opportunities and prepared himself for promotional opportunities.  During the 7 years he served as Fire Chief, the Shawnee Fire Department enjoyed some of the largest steps forward in its 125 year history.  Every aspect of the department saw improvements under Chief Roberts’ leadership including training, equipment, apparatus and morale.  There was never any question by the Firefighters that served under Chief Roberts that he cared about them and wanted to ensure they had the best training and equipment available. He was a leader in the fire service that was appointed to many national committees and served as President of the Southwest Division of the International Association of Chiefs in 1997. Chief Roberts served the citizens of Shawnee responding to thousands of emergency incidents during his time with the Shawnee Fire Department, with the largest being the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building on April 19, 1995 in Oklahoma City. The Shawnee Fire Department had crews on the scene assisting with emergency response efforts within the first two hours of the bombing and Chief Roberts was instrumental in coordinating those efforts.  He left an indelible mark on the Shawnee Fire Department that is felt today and will continue for years to come. James Roberts held a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Safety from the University of Central Oklahoma, an Associate of Engineering Technology in Municipal Fire Protection from Oklahoma State University, and an Associate of Science in Business from Seminole Junior College.    He was preceded in death by his parents.   Survivors include his wife: Kathy Roberts of the home, 1 Daughter: Marissa Roberts of the home, 2 Sisters: Donita McGuire of Corpus Christi, TX, and Clara Lynn Yoder of Shawnee, Nieces: Amanda McGuire and wife Nicole McGuire, Shanda Lopez and husband Chris, (their children Kinzlee and Slater), Amber Teague and husband Jason (their children Braydon and McKenzie) and numerous other family members and friends.