John G. “Jack” Roberts, 81, of Annandale, died Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at home.

A visitation will be held from 1:00-4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Annandale with memory sharing at 3:00 p.m.   Afterwards, friends are invited to join in the celebration of life beginning at 4:00 p.m. in the lower level of Southbrook Grille in Annandale. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Greater Lake Sylvia Association (lakesylvia.org).

Jack was born in 1936 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  He graduated from Central High School in Minneapolis in 1954; he played basketball and earned all-conference honors.  He attended Montana State University on a basketball scholarship in 1955. He later returned to Minnesota to play basketball at the College of St. Thomas; he graduated in 1959. He turned down a chance to play basketball for the Minneapolis Lakers to pursue a career in education.  Later, Jack earned a Master’s Degree through class work at Kansas State, Brown and the University of Northern Iowa. Jack spent over 40 years teaching high school math and coaching various sports at high schools in Swanville, Freeborn and Osseo, Minnesota. Jack and his family moved to Annandale in the early 1970s and lived on the shores of Lake Sylvia for over 40 years.  Prior to his retirement, Jack helped the Greater Lake Sylvia Association by reviewing and monitoring property development on the lake. For the last 20 years Jack and Bonnie spent the winters in Aransas Pass and Port Aransas, Texas. Jack had a great sense of humor and the unique ability to walk into any room and talk to anyone. Jack loved Lake Sylvia, spending time with his family, developing colorful phrases, watching sports, talking about everything with everyone and visiting with friends on Lake Sylvia and in South Haven, Annandale, and Texas.

Jack is survived by his wife of 46 years, Bonnie of Annandale; children, John (Lori) of Orono, Minnesota, James (Julie) of Waco, Texas, Thomas (Amanda) of College Station, Texas, Rachel (Chris) of Park Rapids, Minnesota and Jaclyn (Scott) of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Chloe, Sylvia, Thomas, Camille and Cascade; and nieces, Rene Roberts and Beth Roberts and nephew, Brent Roberts. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, John and Ella Roberts, his older brother, Donald Roberts and nieces, Roanne Dale and Jeanine Duchene.

Arrangements are entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial & Cremation Services of Annandale.

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