Obituary

Obituary for Dcn. Don Roberts
Dcn. Don Roberts of St. Peter Parish Church died on January 10, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. It was the feast day of St. William of Bourges (St. William the Confessor) who was known to be a cheerful man, a hard worker, and pure of heart. That was Don, too. A native New Orleanian, Don was born on February 02, 1953, to his parents as the second oldest of five. He attended St. John Vianney Prep High School where he was respected by his classmates for his leadership and athleticism. He married Karen on June 24, 1977, which he would call the best day of his life. Don and Karen had two children and moved to Abita Springs in 1996. Don enjoyed watching his sons grow into men as he worked tirelessly in the bank equipment service industry.

After his retirement, his new life began. He returned to university and graduated at the age of sixty-four when he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from St. Joseph Seminary College. Soon after, he entered into the diaconate program and served for a time as a formation advisor at St. Joseph Seminary College. After being ordained as a deacon in 2018, Don volunteered to coordinate the prison ministry at St. Tammany Parish Jail. It was a ministry that brought him tremendous joy and he served it faithfully. From his time as a pupil of philosophy to his death, he would say it was a “transformative experience.” He also took great joy in his friendships with the “That Man is You!” group with St. Peter’s Parish, and nothing made him happier than actively serving his parish as a deacon. God’s graces abounded upon him, and Don would do everything in his power to serve God just one more day. “I feel that God has been walking with me every day of my life,” Don once said. With that security, he fought to the end and never feared death. His final words were the prayer Jesus taught us, the “Our Father,” and a soft “I love you” to his family.

Friends will remember his boisterous laughter, glowing smile, strong hands, and loyalty to God.

A loving husband and father, Don is survived by his wife of forty-five years, Karen of Abita Springs, Louisiana, their two children, Barrett “Barry” Nathaniel, and Brett Gabriel, and his only grandchild Ian Nathaniel. He was preceded in death by his father Eugene Joseph “Gene”, his mother Joyce Lynn, and his sibling, Eugene Joseph “Gene” Roberts III. He is survived by his sisters, Donna Lynn, Rhonda Lynn, and Stacey Lynn (Barry), and his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

Services will commence at Saint Peter Church in Covington on Saturday, January 14th, 2023. Visitation begins at 9am, then a Rosary at 11:15am, with a funeral Mass at noon. The mass will be celebrated by Most Reverend Gregory M. Aymond. An interment will follow at Saint Joseph Abbey. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Don’s alma mater, Saint Joseph Seminary College, aiding his brothers in Christ:
www.saintjosephabbey.com/donate-abbey-general-fund

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

E.J. Fielding Funeral Home locally has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The family kindly invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.