Thomas Emmett 'Tom' Roberts

(April 2, 1897 ~ January 19, 1977)

Tom, son of  Nathan Johnson Roberts and Nancy Lear Landers, married to Faye Aline Doman and buried in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery, Abilene, Taylor County, Texas.

Past Hendrick Home 'father' dead at 79

Thomas E. Roberts, 79, who was "father" to more than 600 children during the 32 years he served as superintendent of Hendrick Home of Children, died at 9:25 a.m. today at Hendrick Memorial Hospital where he was admitted Tuesday night.  Services are pending at North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange.

Chosen in 1939 by T.G. Hendrick, founder, to take the place of the fathers of children who would come to the home.  Mr. Roberts served as superintendent of Hendrick Home for Children until November 1973.  He never had an assistant until 1965 when Claude A. Hicks, now superintendent, became associate superintendent.

In 1968, the home held its 30th anniversary celebration.  A letter written by one of his "children" who was unable to come for the event, tells how many people felt about Tom Roberts.

"Thirty years!  The Home was in existance almost three years when you took me in, so we have known each other for 27 years.  My years there are truly the most important and rewarding ones that I have ever lived.

"So, in 30 years you can recall countless numbers who owe their success to your existence!  I am trying hard to instill the ideas you taught me in to my own daughters.  Others are, of course, doing the same.  The blessings of your care to us over the past 30 years are like a stone thrown into a pool that sends ripples across the water and back again.

"Your good deeds reach beyond the immediate few of us who were so fortunate to have grown up directly under your care.  Your inspiration is continually with us and with our children - God surely has a special love for you, Mr. Roberts, that only a few have ever earned."

Born April 2, 1897, at Lawn.  Mr. Roberts graduated from Ovalo High School in 1916 and Hardin-Simmons University in 1920.  He married Faye Doman in 1930.  She died in 1965.  He married Minnie Wells Josie of Wichita Falls Nov. 17, 1971.

He was a deacon at First Baptist Church, served on the Hardin-Simmons University Board of Trustees for many years, and was very active on the Board of Trustees of Hendrick Memorial Hospital.  He had boon president of the Hendrick Home Corporation since he resigned as superintendent of the home in 1973.

Mr. Roberts, handpicked by the founders of Hendrick Home for Children, served the home in a special way from its beginning until his death, and over the years held offices in the Texas and Southwestern Associations of Executives of Children's Homes.

In December 1972, the Hendrick Home named its newest facility the Thomas E. Roberts Recreation Center, in honor of its longtime superintendent.  Approximately 300 person attended the dedication of the center, the fourth time in the history of the home that the main building had been open to the public.

Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Nancy Buice of Fort Worth; two sons, Raymond of Fort Worth and Doman of Burayn, Pa.; a brother, Bill of Abilene; a sister, Mrs. Virgil Riddle of Lawn, and six grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be members of the board of trustees of Hendrick Home for Children, Claude A. Hicks, Oliver Howard, Walter Johnson, Roscoe Blankenship, Leland Kelley and Boone Powell.

Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas) - Wed, Jan 19, 1977

Abilene Reporter-News (Abilene, Texas) - Thu, Jun 1, 1939