Gary Roberts

GARY GENE ROBERTS

NOV 2, 1935-JULY 13, 2023

On Thursday, July 13, 2023, Gary Gene Roberts, age 87, left this earth surrounded by the love of his family. Gary was born in Washington, D.C. – the son of Anna Rae (Sincell) and Kenneth Roberts. He grew up in the College Park, Maryland area. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Heilbronn, Germany where he became the company sniper and was also introduced to the world of intelligence. Upon leaving the Army he went to work for the Central Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C. As a covert operations officer he lived in several Latin American countries including Peru, Argentina and the Dominican Republic. He traveled extensively over the years not only to Latin America but to countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. He joined the counterterrorism group at the CIA when it was in its infancy. Although retired, he was called back to work by this group just one month after 9/11. The next two years were especially challenging as he was sent on assignments to the Middle East - but it was a very rewarding way to end his career.

In 2006, now fully retired, he and his wife Carol moved to Rockport, Texas, a town that they discovered several years earlier as Winter Texans. Here he enjoyed playing golf with the noon group at the Rockport Country Club, and fishing in the bays. In Maryland his family had a cottage on the Chesapeake Bay and he had become an avid fisherman at an early age. Rockport was a perfect retirement home. He and Carol became birders when they moved to Rockport and enjoyed traveling to various birding sites around the country.

In Maryland he maintained a huge vegetable garden, bee hives, and a few dozen fruit trees. He was known as the hot pepper king of Howard County. His friends will attest to the fact that he was an excellent cook as well. Here in Rockport he enjoyed learning about all kinds of tropical plants and his yard was a showcase.

He will be remembered as someone who was always ready with a helping hand. If you were sick, you could count on him using his cooking skills to make you feel better. He was always looking for ways that he could be of service. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends alike.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Carol (Poske) Roberts, his son, Gary G. Roberts II (Tracy Noble) of Medford, MA, his brother Bill Roberts of Chesapeake Beach, MD, and various family members. A beloved daughter, Andrea, died at the age of 10. He also leaves behind his much-loved dog, Chico.

Heartfelt thanks go to Dr. Ronald Bruce, Anthem Home Care, Cornerstone Home Health and Harbor Hospice, who all provided him with such excellent care.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 18, 2023 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am .A Celebration of Life will be held at the Charlie Marshall Funeral home in Rockport on Tuesday, July 18, from 11:30 am. to 12:00 pm .His final resting place will be in Indiana where family will gather once again to celebrate the life of this much-loved man.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Harbor Foundation– 400 Enterprise Blvd, Building C, Rockport, TX 78382, or to The Humane Society and Adoption Center of Rockport-Fulton – 1308 Myrtle, Fulton, TX 78358.