Gordon Paul Roberts
ESCANABA — Gordon Paul Roberts, 79, of Escanaba, passed away Tuesday afternoon, May 15, 2018, at home surrounded by family. He was born on June 6, 1938, in Rock, the son of Edward and Edna (Terrian) Roberts. At the young age of 6, his family moved to Trenary where he attended school. At age 17, Gordon Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Force until he was honorably discharged on March 8, 1960. During his time in the military, Gordon was able to earn his high school diploma and was very proud to have served his country for four years and two years in the reserves. He married the former Bertie “Dolly” Coakley on March 2, 1957, at St. Rita’s Catholic Church in Trenary. Together, the couple shared 61 years of marriage and raised four children.
Gordon Paul began his lifelong career of driving trucks with Our Own Bakery Company where he was a driver and salesman for Bunny Bread. He then went to work for Lakestate Wood Preserving out of Wetmore, Mich. His handle on the CB radio was well known as “Pole Cat.” Gordon was employed in the Phoenix Division for Clairmont Transport where he was an owner/operator until they closed.
While working for Clairmont, he drove truck mainly throughout the central Midwest. He then went to drive for Groos Transport for five years and then worked for Quality Carriers until his retirement. Gordon Paul was never one to sit still; after his “retirement” he was the manager of the Gladstone Super Lube for a few years. He then took a part-time trucking job (that turned into full time) for Superior LTD out of Peshtigo, Wis., up until his 76th birthday. Gordon was a member of the Teamsters Local Union 328 and also a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Wells. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed snowmobiling and four-wheeling. Gordon Paul loved traveling and seeing many places throughout the country. Up until a few months ago, he was still planning a trip to Texas. Family was very important to Gordon and his children and grandchildren meant the world to him.
Gordon Paul Roberts is survived by his wife, Bertie “Dolly” Roberts of Escanaba; children, Wade Paul Roberts of Munising, Kirt Mark Roberts of Escanaba, Mary Dawn Roberts of Baytown, Texas, and Kristi Ann (James) Dahn of Cornell; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Gordon Paul was preceded in death by his siblings, Betty Cayer, Ruth Sikorski, Edward Charles Roberts, Jr., and Mary Wilma Roberts.
Visitation will be held from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 18, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Escanaba. Military honors will be conducted at 2 p.m. in the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel by the Delta County Veterans Council. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 4 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Escanaba with Father Rick Courier officiating. A luncheon will be served afterward in the church fellowship hall. Burial will take place in the McFarland Cemetery. The Anderson Funeral Homes are assisting the Roberts family and online condolences can be sent at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.