Clyde Thomas Roberts

Clyde T. Roberts, Sr. of Kingsport, died Monday morning, May 31, 2010, at his home, after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Roberts was a native of Sullivan County, Tennessee, and lived in Kingsport until entering the United States Army. He was born on October 29, 1934, the eldest child of Tom and Oma Roberts, who preceded him in death. Mr. Roberts began a career in the printing business as a young man when he was hired by Jitney Blankenbecler at Franklin Printing Company. He worked there until he enlisted in the United States Army in 1955. Serving in the ASA Division of the Army, Mr. Roberts was stationed in Hawaii where he met and married Shirley Mahnken, the mother of his children. After his discharge from service, Clyde returned to Franklin Printing until moving to Johnson City in the sixties, where he continued in the printing business, owning his own Thesis Printing Co. Later he went to work for WJHL-TV and continued in broadcasting media as a manager of WBEJ Radio in Elizabethton and also with WKPT in Kingsport. After his retirement, Mr. Roberts continued to live in the Johnson City area, moving back to Kingsport in 2008.

Mr. Roberts was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Johnson City. He was also a member of the Rotary, Lions, and Optimist Clubs. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Appalachian District Fair for over 16 years and was associated with the Elizabethton Covered Bridge Celebration for many years.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Clyde T. Roberts Jr.; grandson, Dustin Jeffers Mahoney; and five younger siblings, Buddy, Harold, Joan, Clara, and Phillip.

Survivors include his wife, Catharine Hatcher Roberts of the home; daughter Theresa Louise Haunani "Reece" Barringer and husband Gene of Jonesborough; son, Anthony W. Roberts and wife Janice of Northfield, MN; daughter-in-law, Mrs. Tom "Julie" Roberts of Jonesborough; three granddaughters, Abby Elizabeth Leilani and Naomi Keiki O'Kalani Roberts of Northfield, MN, Bethany Faith Noalani Roberts of Jonesborough; two sisters, Kathleen Brown and Ruth Crawford; one brother, Warner Roberts, all of Kingsport; a special nephew, Joey Salyers and wife Marivie of Kingsport; numerous other nieces and nephews; special friends of a lifetime, Bill and Loretta Allen; a special family, Brad and Nicky Compton and children, Andrew, Austin, Abigail, and Archer, all of Kingsport.

Thanks to Cathy Honan who has been a blessed caregiver to "Mr. Clyde", along with a loving Kitty Kitty, who will also miss er companion.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening at Hamlett-Dobson, Kingsport.

Graveside services will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Thursday at Mountain Home National Cemetery with Rev. Andy Sensabaugh officiating and Military Rites by American Legion Posts 3/265.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to a charity benefiting children.