John D. Roberts—1952-2014
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| John and Laura Roberts |
John Roberts, Cedar Mill’s favorite BBQ Pitmaster, passed away on June 9. He had been battling pancreatitis since June of last year. He was hospitalized for several weeks at that time, but recovered sufficiently to return to the catering and BBQ competition team Burnt Ends, which he started with his wife Laura in 2008.
I first met John and Laura when they invited me to come and watch them compete in the BBQ competition at the Oregon State Fair. His patience and attention to detail, along with a great palate, made the team a winning combination, and the trophy they won that year was joined by many others as they continued to compete. They also started a catering business, and one of their first big events was the 2008 Cedar Mill Cider Festival, which they’ve catered every year since. I know everyone will miss them.
John was originally from Idaho, and he and Laura met while attending college in Nampa. He moved to Oregon with her, a third-generation Oregon native, and they came to Cedar Mill 15 years ago.
He was an avid outdoorsman, and he and his family enjoyed camping trips to destinations throughout the Pacific Northwest.
His daughter Karolyn Parsons wrote this, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” These are the words I speak today in light of the early morning passing of my father John D. Roberts. We know that his journey over the last year has spoken volumes of his will to live and his continued faith in God’s sustaining hand. While our hearts are broken, we hold on to the blessing of the past year knowing that we were gifted with time beyond all expectations, and for those days we are especially thankful. My dad was a quiet servant, humble in character, and one who could always find a way to laugh, especially when things got rough. He will be greatly missed and forever loved.”
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 28 at 3 pm at Portland First Church of the Nazarene, 6100 SW Raab Road, Portland, OR 97221 (near Scholls Ferry & Highway 26). All who knew him are welcome to attend.
A fund was set up at the Sunset Credit Union during his first hospitalization. It is still active, and donations are welcome to help the family defray his medical expenses. Just go to the CU and tell them you wish to donate to the John Roberts fund. |
