Obituary for Daniel Thomas Roberson

Daniel Thomas Roberson, 77, of Olathe, KS passed away on October 21, 2023.

He was born on October 11, 1946, to Bryant and Madonna (Aslin) Roberson in Louisburg, NC.
He was raised in North Carolina where he graduated from high school, then graduated from W. W. Holding Technical Institute with an Associate in Applied Science in Data Processing Technology, and then joined the Army. Dan proudly served our country in the United States Army from June 10, 1968, to January 20, 1972. He served two and a half years in Okinawa in the Army Security Agency.

He married his lovely wife on June 17, 1967, Sandra Elaine (Kearney) in Wake Forest, North Carolina at St Catherine’s Catholic Church. They lived in various places with the Army before moving to Raleigh, NC, and then made their home in Olathe, KS for over 40 years.

He never lost his love for North Carolina and returned almost every summer and Christmas for vacations to see his and Sandy’s families. He would take Sandy and his kids and grandkids to the beach, specifically the Seahawk Motel with Jungle Land across the street, or stop in the mountains and visit the Biltmore House or other destinations when they visited. He kept trying to find that darn zoo they moved in Washington, D.C.

His trips also included pig pickin’s and Carolina BBQ with the family. He always had to stop for chocolate donuts on the drive to and from North Carolina. He traveled across the Western USA with his family, mother, and mother-in-law in the summer of 1988, to Europe with his wife in 2001, and took his entire family to Disney World in 2000 and 2009.

Dan worked as an IT Manager for Employers Reinsurance Corporation, until his retirement in December 2000. As an IT professional he was always up-to-date on the latest technology and was one of the first to get the newest TV, computer, video camera, or GPS. He turned that passion into teaching his kids and grandkids about computers, including playing tons of games with them.

He was active in the American Legion Post #153, Sons of the American Legion, Legion Riders and the Honor Guard. He was Commander of Post #153 and Kansas State Commander. As a member of the American Legion, he went to his first service with the Legion where “Taps” was played on a boom box. He felt that this did not properly honor those who served, so he purchased a trumpet and played “Taps” live for the Honor Guard for hundreds of funerals.

His love of his country led his family to call him the “Flag Police.” He would stop, even on vacation, to let someone know if the American flag was not displayed correctly. He loved the 4th of July and would decorate the house, driveway, and yard with multiple flags and other patriotic memorabilia. When he had grandchildren, he organized a neighborhood parade on the 4th, and everyone enjoyed marching behind his little Mazda pickup that would blast John Philip Sousa and Lee Greenwood.

Dan’s love of music dates back to high school where he played in the band and then continued to play in the Army. He played tuba, French horn and trumpet. This continued throughout his life with listening to bluegrass, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and other outlaw country. His love of music would be passed on to his daughters where they would play in the band and Dan would volunteer to drive the truck with the instruments at marching competitions, football games, and even went to Disney World with the band to help with the performance.

He took great honor in walking his daughters down the aisle and in their father daughter dances.

Over the years, Dan’s presence and impact was felt everywhere he went. Every time family came to visit from out of town, Dan and the family would race to greet each other with “when ya leavin’?”
Now with Dan’s passing, our family’s “when ya leavin’?” has become “see ya later.”

Daniel is survived by his loving wife, Sandy, his children, Valerie (Gene) Brake and Melissa Lyon both of Olathe, KS, grandchildren Troy Brake, Jessica Brake, Alex Brake, Caleb Lyon and Emma Lyon, and his brother Steve (Lisa) Roberson of Albuquerque, NM.

He was preceded in death by his parents Bryant Roberson and Madonna Roberson and his brother Jeff Roberson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the American Legion Veterans and Children’s Foundation.

Always loved but gone too soon.