Dr. John Joseph Roberts, PhD

Dr. John Joseph Roberts, PhD, age 87, of Centralia, Illinois, formerly of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2024 at St. Mary's Hospital in Centralia.

He was born Sunday, August 15, 1937 in Lafayette, Indiana, a son of Marjorie (Leek) Welborn and Roy Elmer Roberts.

John married Effie M. Harrington-Thomas in November of 1956. They divorced in 1967. John later married Jan Coffing on August 7, 1968. She preceded him in death.

In 1962, he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Biology Education from Purdue University. Continuing his education, he earned his Master of Science in Plant Pathology in 1971 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Plant Breeding in 1976 also from Purdue University.

John's career began as an agronomist in the United States Department of Agriculture with the Agricultural Research Service in West Lafayette, Indiana from 1965-1974. He then transitioned to the role of research agronomist from 1974-1984 and also served on the technical advisory committee for eastern soft wheat from 1975-1981. From 1984-1996, John served as the research plant pathologist for the US Department of Agriculture in Griffin, Georgia.

John held many titles in his lifetime. In 1996, he founded and became President and CEO of Czech Republic Consulting, Inc in Griffin, Georgia where he continued his bio research and was a passion until 2022. John served as the Coordinator of the Uniform Eastern Soft Red Winter Wheat Nursery from 1973-1980 and served as a member on the National Wheat Improvement Committee from 1973-1984. In 1985, John became the secretary of the Eastern Wheat Worker's Conference for the Southern Small Grain Workers until 1987. He was a member of the Georgia Station Seminar Committee from 1987-1988 and served as the executive director of the Soft Wheat Quality Council from 1991-1992.

John was honored to often serve as a presenter in his field and has been listed as a noteworthy agriculture consulting company executive by Marquis Who's Who.

John was a board member or volunteer for several civic organizations including: Friends of the Library-Towns & Union County; Institute for Continuing Learning-Young Harris College; Mountain Shelter Humane Society; and the UGA Georgia Mountain Research & Education Center. He was involved and various Arbor Day activities at local schools, he was a certified Master Naturalist by the UGA Cooperative Extension, he led informative nature hikes for both adults and children. He never stopped reading or learning and was always happy to let you know which tree or shrub needed to be cut down or pruned!

John was well loved and will be terribly missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his daughter- Lou Ann Roberts of Centralia; grandson- Joshua Meier of Centralia; granddaughter- Ayami Croussore of Charlotte, North Carolina; great grandson- Ji Meier of Centralia; sister-in-law- Nancy Roberts of Indianapolis, Indiana; nephew- Jeff Roberts of Keller, Texas; niece- Jennifer Roberts of Columbia, South Carolina; several other nieces, cousins, family, and friends including nieces Sharon Montiville, Virginia Elmore and Diane Mabbitt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister- Sarah (Roberts) Hill and brother- Bruce Roberts.

There will be no public services at this time. Maxton-Rosado Funeral Home in Centralia is honored to have been called to serve the family. For more information, or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.maxtonrosado.com or call 618-532-7321.

 

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