David LeRoy Roberson

Obituary of David L. Roberson
August 16, 1941 – July 20, 2013

David LeRoy Roberson passed away suddenly on July 20, 2013 in his Newport Coast home. He was almost 72. Dave led a full life through faith in and by the grace of Jesus Christ. The Lord honored his wish to die quickly and at home with his wife Linda, after his health markedly declined in recent years due to pulmonary fibrosis.

Dave was born in Bell, California on August 16, 1941 to Melvin and Vivian Roberson. Dave and his only sibling, brother Don Roberson (1943-2012), were lifelong church members and faithful servants. Dave committed his life to Christ at age 12, and served in church leadership and gave generously to others all of his life.

After attending Woodlawn Elementary and Bell High School through 10th grade, the family moved to Newport Beach, California, and Dave graduated from Newport Harbor High (Class of 1958) where he played football and ran track. Dave then attended Orange Coast College for one year and played football, and went on to Occidental College in Los Angeles (Class of 1963) on scholarship where he also played football, ran track, and was featured in campus fraternity spring sing performances with his Alpha Tau Omega brothers. He graduated as a Political Science major. Dave’s love for athletics continued throughout his life, especially through playing golf, and supporting high school and college football and his grandchildren’s games.

Dave served in the United States Coast Guard, active duty and reserves from 1963-1970, where he also continued playing clarinet in the band, as he had done in marching bands and orchestras during his childhood.

In 1962 he met Linda Lucas from Arcadia, California, the love of his life, who he dated in her college years at the University of Southern California. They married in 1964 and remained devoted for nearly 49 years until Dave’s death.

As a young man he started his work life managing a paper route, pumping gas, and then launching boats and delivering mail in Newport Beach. In 1963 he began selling personal life insurance, and then formed his own insurance firm specializing in Fortune 500 companies and high net-worth families. He always worked hard and greatly impacted the industry for a half century. Dave grew his company and enjoyed success through his love for the business and creating significant client relationships.

As a follower of Christ, Dave led his family in this way and continually supported faith-based ministries locally and internationally. He freely gave to people in need, and to further God’s Kingdom on earth. Dave also served on the Board of Elders at Mariners Church in Newport Beach, Laguna Presbyterian Church in Laguna Beach, Board of Trustees at Occidental College, Board of Directors at National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise, several Advisory Boards at AALU and M Financial Group, and he and Linda are current members of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, where they first worshipped as a young married couple.

Dave is survived by his wife Linda Roberson, daughter Cari Coleman and husband Andy, daughter Wendi Bowers and husband Daniel, and son Jim Roberson and wife Aimee. Also by nine grandchildren Katie, Claire and Mike Coleman; Ellie, Lucy and Markie Bowers; and Cole, Emma and Kate Roberson. Dave was always proud of and whole-heartedly supported his wife, children and grandchildren. He was beyond grateful for the way the Lord guided, protected, and blessed his family.

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made in Dave’s name to any of the following ministries. Please visit their websites for more information:
Agape Children’s Ministry www.agapechildren.org
Servant Partners www.servantpartners.org (Los Angeles)
Campus Crusade for Christ www.cru.org
Home of New Beginnings www.homeofnewbeginnings.comSt.
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church www.sapres.org

Memorial Service will be on Friday, August 2, 2013, at 11:00 am, at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach, California, 92663. Reception at the church immediately following the service.

Please visit: www.trcfinancial.com/dave