Donald Roby

Memorial Services for Mr. Donald Claude Roby, age 77, of Cookeville, will be Thursday afternoon, October 17, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of God of Prophecy. The family will receive friends Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of the service. Mr. Roby entered into rest Saturday, October 12, 2013 from an extended illness. Donald was born February 3, 1936 in Colebrook NH. to the late Claude George Roby and Eva Anderson Roby. Don grew up in Colebrook, New Hampshire. He was an excellent student and was also a multiple sport athlete while in high school. He then attended Plymouth College before volunteering to serve our country in the military. Stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Don became a member of the 101st Airborne Division. Serving under General Westmoreland, he received a sharpshooter award and an outstanding field soldier honor. After he won his Post-boxing championship he humbly performed a week of K.P. duty assigned to him for challenging Sergeant Rucker to a boxing match… which Rucker refused. After ten years of service, Don left the military honorably, with a Sergeant 1st class rank. While serving at Fort Campbell Don met a beautiful Kentucky girl named Thelma, with whom he fell in love and married. They united in marriage the remaining fifty-seven years of his life. The Lord blessed them with four sons and a daughter. Don worked at Indian Summer for forty-two years and received a forty-two year perfect attendance award. Wow! He enjoyed coaching his son’s baseball teams and watching his grandchildren. Mr. Roby is survived by his wife of 57 years Thelma Tester Roby, as well as three Sons; Terry Dale Roby of Crossville,Robert Rex Roby of Crossville, Bruce (wife Stephanie) Roby of Indianapolis IN, six grandchildren; Kayla, Isabella, Seth, Lynda, Donny and Jorja Roby, one sister; Evelyn Gionet of NH, one brother; Teddy Marois of NH and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he is also preceded in death by two children; Tammy and Donny Roby, four sisters; Ann, Pearl, Celia and Selena. Bishop E.C. McKinley will conduct the Service.