Gerry B. Roberson
We are saddened to announce that Gerry B. Roberson passed away peacefully due to complications from Type 2 diabetes, in Santa Barbara, CA, on November 7, 2024.
He was born December 5, 1942 in West Point, NY, to a career Army officer and his wife. As an “army brat,” Gerry moved around the world to wherever his father was stationed during the postwar years. From Paris to Baden-Baden, Germany, to Kansas and Massachusetts, Gerry traversed the world before he had even reached 18. After turning down an appointment to West Point due to an ill-fated romance, he followed his family to Santa Barbara. He cherished the city and lived here for the rest of his days.
In 1969, Gerry went into business operating Mission ARCO at the corner of State and Mission – calling it his “place in the sun.” He was known for his rotating carousel of corny jokes, his unique laugh, and for the peppermint carnations he gave to his customers. He remained there as well as running a rental truck company for twenty years, converting the gas station into an am/pm in 1981. Following the sale of the store, Gerry spent time in various careers: as a real-estate agent specializing in service station sales, operating a wholesale candy distribution business, selling auto parts, and finally working as a cross-country residential mover.
1976 found him purchasing his first house where he met Judy, his soon-to-be-wife, at his housewarming. Together they created a loving home, adding on as the family grew. The roots he established there provided a refuge and temporary home for many over the years. To this day, it still provides a go-to-place for all.
In 1989 he established the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Museum and began collecting memorabilia and equipment. Unable to find a permanent home for the museum, in 2002 he donated everything to Angel Fire National Memorial and other non-profits. Locally, he donated a Huey helicopter to the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 218, which he supported as an associate member. For many years the community was treated to the Huey in local parades.
Gerry was a loving husband and doting father to four children and seven grandchildren – although he was sometimes accused of caring more for his Golden Retrievers than his kids. He loved to quote: “There are two types of dogs in the world – Golden Retrievers, and all the rest.”
Gerry was always available to help out friends and nonprofits he cared about. He volunteered as a Big Brother, a Boy Scout commissioner and leader, donated hundreds of pints of blood, worked on political campaigns, and flew with the Red Cross to help bring aid after Hurricane Katrina.
He was a Chevy fan – in particular, fuel-injected models – and owned a number of them (as well as a number of Corvettes) over his lifetime. Gerry also adored planes and going to air shows. He also loved to scuba dive, often taking vacations with Judy to the Cayman Islands. He was also a voracious reader, a student of military history, collecting books that overflowed the shelves which were continuously being added to the house. As his niece wrote in her Facebook tribute: “He laughed loudly, lived honestly, and loved fiercely.”
Gerry is survived by Judy, wife of 47 years; his children: Tommy, Susie, Clay, and Jennie; his grandchildren; his younger brother Tom; and an array of beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. They will fondly remember camping trips, his “over- the-top” celebrations (sky messages and full-page announcements of the arrival of his children.) Not a day would go by without him telling family members: “Have I told you how much I love you today?” They will miss his wonderful sense of humor, his soul-healing hugs, his steadfast loyalty and support …but, most of all, his generous and loving heart.
Gerry always insisted: “No service – just throw a party.” So, the family is having a Celebration of Life Wake with friends and family this spring.
