Donald Stephen Roberts

Rev. Donald Stephen Roberts, aged 78, departed this life in Leesburg, Florida, on September 26, 2024. 

The only child of Donald Ross Roberts and Helen Jean Angel, Don was born in Kentucky in 1946, but three years later, his family began moving around the country. One of those places was Ft. Myers, Florida, which eventually became his more permanent home until he graduated from Ft. Myers High School. Don attended the University of Florida in Gainesville where he was a member of Chi Phi Fraternity. He also attended the University of South Florida. He graduated with a B.A. in Psychology and later a M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling. Immediately after, he served in the US Army at Ft. Sam Houston at the end of the Vietnam War. 

After marrying his wife Paula in 1971, he returned to Ft. Myers High School as the Counselor at the Exceptional Learning Center. He later became the Vice President of First Leasing and Funding of Florida and started a practice in marriage and family counseling. He and Paula began working in community theater and television, acting in some of the first Crime Stopper TV reenactments and commercials for various businesses. He was President of the Cape Coral Players and was involved in every production for 11 years. When several groups joined together to purchase the historic Arcade Theater downtown, he and Paula were involved in almost every musical. His favorite role was as Arthur in Camelot. He also served as President of the Society of American Magicians Assembly 150.

In 1982, Don answered God’s call to the Pastoral Ministry. His vicarage was at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Falls Church, VA. He graduated with an MDiv from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis in 1986 and moved back to Florida, becoming the assistant Pastor, and later sole Pastor, at St. John Lutheran Church, LCMS in Ocala. In 1992, he accepted a call to Martin Luther Chapel in Marathon, Florida Keys, where he also served for 15 years as Chaplain with the Monroe County Sheriff's Department, as well as Chaplain for Hospice, Fisherman’s Hospital, and the Key West Jail. He also was President of the Rotary Club for a time. Don also directed for and acted with the Marathon Community Theater.

As a Sheriff's department Chaplain, he spent time working with multiple groups up and down the Florida Keys, as well as the Trauma Star Emergency Rescue Helicopter team.

 As an author, Donald penned numerous books: Prayers for the Very Young Child; Faith, Hope, and Love; Grace, God’s Special Gift; The Secret in Hamilton’s Closet; The Long Forgotten Place; Bum Snapper’s Casebook; As His Hands–A Devotional Book for Women in Law Enforcement; and a portion of The New Life in Christ Sunday School Series. He also wrote many poems, songs, and other short stories that are unpublished. Along with his loving wife Paula, and dear friend, Richard Warner, he was part of the musical group Warner-Roberts, which recorded and released an album of original music titled Backwards.

In 2012, Don was forced to retire from active ministry due to worsening Parkinson’s Disease. He and Paula moved to Leesburg, FL, to be closer to family and became part of Bethany Lutheran Church, LCMS. They spent a lot of time at their cabin in Park Rapids, MN, and traveled the world, visiting 49 states and most of the National Parks. 

Don is survived by his beloved wife, Paula Suzanne Roberts, with whom he shared fifty-two and a half years of marriage. He leaves behind his son, Sean William (Becky) Roberts of Citra, FL, and his daughter, Kathryn (Ian) Cullen of Apopka, FL. The legacy of love that he nurtured continues through his five grandchildren–Brandon (Lindsey) Ward of Ocala, FL, Stephanie Warren of Cape Coral, FL, Parker (Elayne) Warren of Cape Coral, FL, Teyla Roberts of Ocala, FL, and Liam Cullen of Apopka, FL, and his two great-grandchildren– Kelsie Ward and Ronin Ward of Ocala, FL. He is also survived by a friend and beloved child of the heart, Jack (Maria) Shealey of Ochopee, FL, and their sons Turner and Chatham. 

A private interment at Tavares Cemetery will be held on September 30, 2024. A Memorial Service to honor Donald's remarkable life will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church in Leesburg on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial donations to be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Grand Central Station, P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163; Bethany Lutheran Church, 1334 Griffin Rd, Leesburg, FL 34748 or Lutheran World Relief, PO Box 17061, Baltimore, MD 21297-1061.The online guestbook can be found at www.hardenpauli.com.