Shelby County Today

05/12/2008

Staff Sergeant Kevin Casey Roberts, age 25 of Ft. Campbell, Kentucky was killed in the Sabari district of Afghanistan on May 7, 2008. His mission was to serve his country which he did proudly for six and a half years as a soldier with the 101st Airborne Division. He was assigned to Delta Company, 2nd Battalion 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team. The events of September 11, 2001 influenced SSG Roberts' determination to defend the United States. His love of duty and love of country were undeniable. Staff Sergeant Roberts was all military, he earned the respect of officers, fellow NCOs and soldiers alike. During his service, Staff Sergeant Roberts was awarded numerous medals and ribbons. Among them are the CIB, EIB and the Army Achievement Medal, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Casey was born on May 27, 1982 in Farmington, New Mexico. He graduated from Farmington High School in 2000. Casey joined the La Plata Volunteer Fire Department and served until enlisting in the United States Army in 2001.

SSG Roberts strove to complete numerous goals during his military career. Recently he applied for the Warrant Office program. As Casey put it, "Flying has been a dream of mine since I was a little boy. My father took me along in his ultra light aircraft and told me stories about flying and even let me pilot. I grew to love flying and was fascinated by it."

The brightest lights in SSG Roberts life were his wife Donnice, daughter Caehlen and son Keeghan.

He was preceded in death by Grandparents Thurman and Emma Roberts and Jerry and Amanda Sisson. He is survived by his parents Milton C. and Gerri Sue Roberts of Farmington NM, a brother SPC Curby R. Roberts of FT Hood, TX and his children, a brother Jerry E. Roberts of Farmington, NM. Father and mother in-law Pat and Brenda Yates of Lebanon, Ohio. Grandparents Bob and Delsia Powell of Shelbyville, TX and Don and Becca Yates of New Braunfels, TX. Brother in-law Petty Officer 3rd Class Codey P. Yates, his wife and child, and numerous family members, friends and his Brothers in Arms.

Staff Sergeant Roberts will be buried with full military honors. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 15th from 4-8PM at Mangum Funeral Home, 420 San Augustine Street, Center, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 16th at 2PM at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at West Hamilton Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Mangum Funeral Home, 420 San Augustine Street Center, Texas, 1-936-598-3341.

A memorial for SSG Roberts will be held on Friday, May 23rd at 11 AM. The full military honors memorial will be held at First Baptist Church, 121 North Auburn Street in Farmington, New Mexico.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Mangumfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book for Staff Sergeant Roberts.

In lieu of floral tributes, a scholarship fund has been established for Caehlen and Keeghan as it was SSG Roberts hope that his children would attend college and continue to grow and contribute to their communities. Donations may be written to The Roberts Children Fund and sent to P.O. Box 420, Ft. Campbell, KY 42223.

The love and prayers of family and friends help to fill the emptiness. The void that we experience is less lonely with the good, happy and bright thoughts we share of Casey. We are the better for having known him. We are certain that Casey is safely home. We will miss him always. Our faith will sustain us! God bless you Casey. We love you!