Dr. Edward Vaden Roberts

The man, the myth, the legend. Men wanted to dance like him and women wanted to dance with him. But his favorite dancing partner was also his partner in life, Dorothy Lou (Hamrick) Roberts. Their love, an Academy Award winning movie of epic proportion, lasted over six decades and his love affair with his wife's cooking lasted just as long. He could identify every tree, bird and fish, along with every one of his favorite dishes Dorothy cooked for him, from her Pot Roast to her Spaghetti and Porcupine Meatballs. He created flower gardens only deserving of the First Prize Blue Ribbons at the Tulsa State Fair and gold crown inlays only lasting forever with perfection. He was a Taekwondo Champion, a self-taught fly-tying expert and a Trout Whisperer. Ed was born in Ada, Oklahoma February 23, 1934 with young parents, Loyd Vaden Roberts and Lillie Mae Catherine (Johnson) Roberts, that were merely children themselves. He had five uncles on his mother's side that were more like big brothers that taught him many of life's hilarious lessons. His best fighting buddy was his younger brother, Buddy Gaylord Roberts. They all preceded him in death. At an early age he and his family move to Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating from Tulsa Central High School in 1951, he attended and graduated from the University of Tulsa. There he played one year of football and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Finishing his undergraduate degree in three years, he furthered his education by attending Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, Illinois. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1958. While studying at Northwestern, Ed met on a double date his adored wife, Dorothy. He couldn't take his eyes off her to the total frustration of his date. After three months of dating each other, he pinned her with his Sigma Chi Fraternity pin. Following that, a short three months later, they were married February 17, 1956. They returned to Tulsa where Ed practiced dentistry for fifty-five years before retiring. Ed was a past president of the Tulsa County Dental Society and a former member of the Southern Hills Country Club where on one Sunday afternoon on Father's Day he made a hole in one playing golf with all his boys. Being the avid golfer, he also shot a hole in one at The Masters, Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on May 21, 1987. With his family, Ed enjoyed taking trips to Colorado to ski, Chicago to sight-see, and Florida and the beach to be with family. He loved sports and was the coach for many of his children's teams, from football to softball. Ed was a great historian, he took all his grandchildren on wonderful vacations to see the United States, London and Paris. Later, as life was slowing down, he enjoyed taking his grandchildren to Canada, Colorado and Rockbridge, Missouri to fish. Ed Roberts was known to be tough, but "OH.... so gentle" by his dental patients. He was known to reprimand his children in a stern voice and cry with them watching a movie. His tender side was most oblivious when he was playing with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren or when they were held in his arms talking together. He was adored as Eddy, Ed, or Big Ed, Dad and Coach, but loved truly and well as "Papa". Dr. Edward Vaden Roberts passed away peacefully on November 17, 2022; three months shy of his 89th birthday. Ed is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy, of almost 67 years, his son, Edward Vaden Roberts, Jr. and his wife, Julie, his daughter, Kimberly Kaye Kramer and her husband, Brett, his daughter, Kristin Karol Richardson and her husband, Will, and his son, Daniel Blanton Roberts and his wife, Nancy. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren and their spouses: Eddy III and his wife, Elizabeth, Rachel Ranney and her husband, Blake, Natalie Strimple and her husband, Dallas, Zachary Kramer and his wife, Caitlin , Hannah DeSpain and her husband, Tyler, Ben Kramer, Jacob Pearce and his wife, Courtney, Marshall Pearce, Nathan Roberts and his wife, Kate, Sam Roberts, Lillie Roberts, Abby Roberts, and his 6 great-grandchildren, Melia and Vivian Ranney, Braelynn and Brynnlie Roberts, Ava Roberts and Emmett Strimple. All of his family and friends held Ed with great love and respect. We will remember his sincere smile, his gentle touch, his quips and quotes, his sporting support, his fishing energy, his love for life, family and friends. He truly leaves a fine legacy. He was our "Golden Moment". Memorial service will be held Friday, November 25, 2022 at 1:00 P.M. at Redeemer Church, 5415 E. 101st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74137 (918) 299-1989. He will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5111 S. Memorial Drive, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74145. Moore's Southlawn Chapel (918) 663-2233

Dr. Edward Vaden Roberts

February 23, 1934 - November 17, 2022