Johanna Schubert
.5 linear feet
A2008-005; A2017-068
1890-1945 (unknown)
The following is the obituary for L.C. McRoberts which first appeared in the February 15, 1976 Kingsville-Bishop Record-News entitled “Former School Board Member Dies”:
“Lewis C. McRoberts, 86, long-time resident and civic leader died at 10:30a.m., Thursday in Kleberg County Hospital. He had served on the Kingsville school board for over 20 years. L.C. McRobert’s Elementary School was named in his honor. He held a life membership in the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers and was invited by the president of the state board of education to serve on a citizen’s advisory conference on education. He attended the inaugural program of the Texas Education Agency and Commissioner of Education in 1950.
McRoberts was instrumental in bringing South Texas State Teachers College to Kingsville and worked closely with the Presbyterian Pan American School during its establishment and early growth. Born in southern Indiana, he came to Kingsville in 1910 to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. In 1913 he married Ruth Pinion in Vincennes, Indiana, and they returned Kingsville.
After leaving the railroad he worked as a cotton broker, insurance agent and realtor in offices with Kleberg County Judge Ben Wilson. He later became an employee of the King Ranch, working in the Kingsville Dairy Products Company, which later became the Hygeia Plant in Kingsville. He continued to work there until his retirement in 1957.
McRoberts was considered an avid sports fan. Although he was not a teacher, he coached the first football team at King High School when there was no one else available. From its beginning through the 1930’s, he seldom missed a football practice session of the Texas A&I Javelinas. McRoberts was a member of Chamberlain Lodge No. 913 A.F. & A.M. He was promoted to Master Mason in October 1913 and served as Worshipful Master in 1917-1918. He received his 50 year award pin in 1964.
“Mc”, as so many people knew him, was known for his sense of humor and wit. His laughter was recognizable by all who knew him and proved to be his trademark. McRoberts was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth in November 1965 and by a son, Charles Rueben McRoberts, who died during World War II. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Ruth Word of Kingsville; one son, Robert McRoberts of Houston; one sister, Mrs. Roy Terrell of Kingsville; four brothers, C.M. McRoberts and E.M. McRoberts of Princeton, Indiana; N.H. McRoberts of Dallas and D.T. McRoberts of Shreveport; four grandchildren Johanna Word, Jim Word, Bess Taylor, and Charles Carlton McRoberts; and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in the First Presbyterian Church in Kingsville at 2 p.m. Masonic graveside services were conducted at Chamberlain Cemetery. Pallbearers were W.E. Sellers, T.G. Knight, Robert A. Ferguson, Homer Ferguson, Otis West, and Otto Zwernemann.”
The collection consists of 34 photos, postcards, correspondence, WWII Publications, RR Publications, and 2 cassette tapes (combined on one mp3) concerning the life of L.C. McRoberts.
Materials are arranged as received and placed into series. Series I: Correspondence Series II: Photos
South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Open for Research
Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.
L.C. McRoberts Family Collection, A2008-005.XXX; A2017-068.XXXX South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
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A2008-005- Gift of Lewis C. McRoberts A2017-068 – Gift of Johanna Schubert
A2008-005 reprocessed by Matthew Tallant 2018 January 19. A2017-068 processed and finding aid written by Matthew Tallant. EAD done by Daniel Thacker.