John M. Roberson

Sgt. Maj. John M. Roberson, USMC Ret., left us peacefully on Feb. 17, 2020, with his daughter Kathy Iverson and son John Roberson by his side in The Lodge memory care unit at Buffalo Hill Terrace. It was fitting that it was also Presidents Day.
To all of his dear friends he was affectionately known as “Robbie” and to his men from the Marine Corps he was referred to as “The Gunny” or “Sgt. Maj.”
Robbie was born in Macon, Georgia, on July 9, 1931, to Eva Roberson Martin and Lincoln Roberson.
Robbie enlisted in the Marine Corps on May 18, 1948. This became the beginning of a 29-year long career for Robbie. His long commitment and Semper Fi Marine Corps dedication molded him to be an exceptional Marine, a wonderful loving husband, and the greatest dad we could have asked for. Notably, this Marine served in Korea and did two tours in Vietnam.
He met Dorothy Meredith during his security detail at the American Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Dorothy transferred to the American Embassy in Sri Lanka and Robbie followed her with his detail to the embassy in Colombo where on Dec. 6, 1962, Robbie and Dorothy were married and began a life together and were inseparable.
Kathy and John were both born in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The family moved to Oceanside, California, in 1964.
Robbie’s time in the Marine Corps included being stationed in Detroit, back to Oceanside, then to Beaufort, South Carolina, on to Olathe, Kansas, and finally retiring in 1977 to Kalispell.
Robbie was never idle and so embarked on his second career working with veterans at the Job Service in Kalispell for the next 15 years. Robbie learned to play racquetball from his son and made it his favorite sport, playing many years at The Summit where he was known as “Rocket Robbie” on the court.
Robbie and Dorothy settled in Creston and were well known and loved by the local community. Robbie spent most of his time doing what he did best, “professional piddler,” at the property in Creston and working around the pond keeping everything “sharp as a tack” in proper Marine Corps fashion.
Robbie is survived by Kathy Iverson of Kalispell and John and wife Julie Roberson of Kalispell. Grandchildren include Brianna Iverson, Cameron Iverson, Kiera Roberson and Cayden Roberson; and great-grandson Gunner Ralph.
Robbie was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy, his sisters Sara Harris, Doris Strickland, and brother Billy Roberson.
A celebration of life for both Robbie and Dorothy is planned for Saturday, March 28, at noon at the Buffalo Hill Terrace chapel, located at 40 Claremont St., Kalispell.
Please make a donation to your favorite charity in memory of Robbie and Dorothy in lieu of gifts or flowers.

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