Mark C. Roberts Jr.

Mark Carlyle Roberts Jr., 90, of Caldwell, passed away on January 30, 2019 at his home. Mark would like you to know that his work here is done. His last job was to live long enough to take care of and love his wife Barbara, until she passed. He has wanted to join her every day since her passing. Mark Carlyle Roberts, Jr. 90, of Caldwell, passed away January 30, peacefully at home with the support of his loving family and amazing care from his caregivers, Liz & Teri. Mark was born in Rico, Colorado, March 16th, 1928. He was the second born to Mark Sr. and Gladys Roberts. His family moved to Caldwell, ID his senior year where he graduated from Caldwell High School. Mark enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946 and was stationed on Sombrero Key lighthouse in Marathon, Florida. Shortly after his discharge he attended Lassen Community College in Susanville, California to learn gunsmithing. It was there that he met Barbara Richie, the love of his life. Mark loved to share the memory of how he suffered a broken leg playing football. As he tells it, that's how Barbara caught him, while he was recovering in the hospital. She would visit him frequently while he recovered. Mark and Barbara were married in Reno, Nevada on March 10, 1951. They made a home in Susanville, where their three children were born. In Spring of 1964 the Wirth Mill where Mark worked shuttered, so they moved their family to Caldwell, Idaho. Mark and Barbara maintained lifelong friendships with the many friends they had made in Susanville. Mark worked in plumbing with his father until the Wirth's opened a mill in Caldwell, where he worked until the mill closed again. Dame Lumber opened a new mill in Fruitland, ID and Mark joined them to help build the mill and became a management member of the company. He retired at the age of 62 so he and Barbara could go traveling. During their golden years they enjoyed fishing and camping together. Barbara read books while Mark fished. They were both very fond of their travels to Alaska and the Oregon Coast. Mark and Barbara wintered in Yuma, Arizona and summered at Henry's Lake, ID for many years, where they met and made many more lifelong friends. Happy hour was always at 5:00 at the Roberts house. Mark and his brother Russell, family or friends would stop by to enjoy the evening sun and a cocktail. As we gathered around and visited, Barbara listened for Mark's cue; a quick little cough, meant he was ready for another Old Crow and water. Mark and Barb also very much enjoyed participating in events of their local Elks Lodgewhere Mark was Elk of the year in 1989. During his retirement Mark had many hobbies; fishing, golfing, photography, gardening and feeding the birds and squirrels, telling stories and sharing his cherished memories, such as coaching Babe Ruth baseball with his brother Russell when their boys were playing. Those who know Mark, also know that the most important thing in his life was his family. When in his presence there was never any doubt that you were loved. He cherished his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and numerous other family members. Mark loved hosting big family holidays, cooking prime rib dinner, filling the house with his loving family and holding all the babies. He leaves behind, children Gail and Michael Mower, Mark and Lisa Roberts, Dana and Gary Vance, grandchildren Carl Wolff, Jennifer Barnett, Destry Eskew, Shawn Roberts, Aaron Vance, Carmen Vance and their families, numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and his beloved baby sister Jane Wood. He joins his loving wife of 67 years, Barbara, who passed away April 25, 2018. They are together now along with those who passed before them, his sister Roberta Niemeyer, brothers Russell and Dick Roberts, parents Mark & Gladys Roberts and granddaughter Merry Goldsmith. The family would like to thank Home Care Solutions and especially their wonderful caregivers Liz and Teri as well as Heart and Home Hospice. You helped the family make his dream come true to live in his own home until the end. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, February 16th from 3:00-6:00 pm at the Elks Lodge in Caldwell, ID.