Obituary of Fred Roberts

Fred Roberts Oct. 8, 1929 - Aug. 31, 2021 Fred passed away in Gurnee, Il, with his loved ones close by his side after a lengthy illness. He was born in rural northeast Mississippi to his loving parents: Connie and Lillian Roberts. With his 5 siblings, Fred was raised on the family farm, and even though the work was hard, his colorful stories of early boyhood days with his family were filled with treasured memories. In 1946, Fred joined the army, spent two years in Korea, earned a Victory Medal, and finished his duty with rank as Sgt. in 1949. After serving his country, he settled in Zion, Illinois, where family members had already moved from the south, and he lived there until his passing. Fred spent 41 years in the trucking industry, hauling cars cross-country in his younger adult years, but most of his trucking career was spent working for Davis Trucking (Zion, Ill.). For 58 years, Fred was a member of the Masonic Anchor and Ark Lodge 1027 of Waukegan, Ill. After retirement, Fred enjoyed traveling with his beloved wife, Jean, throughout the United States and abroad. He loved to play golf, meet his buddies for daily coffee each morning, play games/cards with family and friends, and spend quality time as “Papa,” making lasting memories with his dear grandchildren. Each of his daughters and grandchildren felt special in his gentle presence and knew his love for each of them was endless. Along with his family, each and every person who had the good fortune of meeting Fred walked away feeling “richer” for having known him. He was survived by his loving wife Jean (Beith) Roberts, his brother John Roberts (Marj) of Carpentersville, Ill., his 4 daughters Pamela Shoff of Venice, Fl., Peggy Rocha (Danny Fox) of Escalon, Ca., Kimberly Kenley (Rod) of Libertyville, Ill., Jacqueline Russell (Wendell) of Antioch, Ill., his 8 grandchildren Chris Kenley, Amber Rocha Wolak, Matt Kenley, Andrew Valentine, JP Kenley, Coral Rocha, Nathan Kenley, Natalie Kenley, and 3 great-grandchildren Skylar Wolak, Tucker Wolak and Everest Valentine. He was preceded in death by his parents, Connie and Lillian Roberts, his sisters Elsie Marie Brown, Jeanetta Walker, and Ana Lou Price and his brother Charles Roberts. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. If you wish to honor Fred, a loving act of kindness to your neighbor, family or friends would make him smile.