Obituary, Obit for Gene Roberts
In Memory of
Gene Roberts 02/02/1941 - 12/29/2024
Gene Autry Roberts was born to Cecil and Bertie (Gallop) Roberts in Lake Butler, Union County, Florida, on February 2, 1941. Gene’s family moved to High Springs, FL in 1943, where his father was employed as a conductor for the Atlantic Coastline Railroad. Creating adventures along the Santa Fe River with friends was his favorite pastime. He was loved by his peers for his gentle nature and his disarming smile.
Before Gene entered Santa Fe High his aptitude for both music and athletics was evident. At SFHS he participated in three varsity sports, played in the band, and joined various clubs, including Future Farmers and Yearbook Staff. He relinquished his snare drums when halftime performances conflicted with football team responsibilities. Among other awards, Gene was voted by his senior class as Most Likely to Succeed in Athletics.
As a ‘blue chip’ fullback he signed a grant-in-aide with Florida State University to pursue a BS in
Industrial Arts Education and a career coaching high school football. At FSU, Gene met his future wife
Jeanie; and after a long friendship and a short courtship, they were married during Easter break 62 years ago. While playing for the Seminoles, Gene had a summer job with a civil engineering company that helped him develop basic drafting skills, which later qualified him for a drafting position on the Titan IIIC missile design at Cape Kennedy.
Gene, Jeanie, and son Preston returned to FSU to pursue his dream of coaching high school football.
Upon completion of his student teaching in 1965, Gene signed his first teaching contract and joined Gainesville High School faculty and football staff. At GHS he created a drafting program, and coached tennis. In 1970 he accepted an offer to become the head football coach at Hernando High, so Gene, Jeanie, Preston and daughter Jeanette moved to Brooksville, where “Coach Roberts” returned the Leopards to success and coached tennis each spring.
After moving to Key West in 1973, Gene volunteered as an assistant football coach at Mary Immaculate High School before being offered the head coaching position for the Key West High Fighting Conchs.
Again he was relentless in improving all areas of the football program. In 1989, “Coach”, Jeanie and son Chuck moved to Inverness, where he led the Citrus Hurricanes football program to winning ways, while creating a drafting program that placed students directly into the job market. In 2000, he was voted Teacher of the Year by his peers at Citrus High School.
Only weeks before his 84th birthday, Gene found final relief from chronic back pain in his home
surrounded by family, caregiver Lydia Wiley, and hospice support. He is survived by his wife Jeanie; son Preston and his wife Debbie of DeBary, FL; daughter Jeanette Marie Roberts of Archer, FL; and son Charles (Chuck) of Inverness; three grandchildren, Kristin McCormick (husband Matt), Preston Roberts (wife Christina), and Justin Roberts (wife Jessica); nine great grandchildren; sister Cheryl Roberts of Melrose, FL; and sister Patricia Forrester of High Springs, FL; along with several nieces and nephews.
Predeceased family members include his parents, his sister Connie Skinner, and brother Charley Roberts, each of High Springs, FL.
A Celebration of Gene’s Life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Inverness, 206 E. Washington Ave., on Saturday, Jan 18, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. After the service, please join family and friends for a reception with light snacks in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to your favorite charity.