James "Jim" Roberts

James "Jim" Roberts, 69, passed away Friday, November 27, 2009 at Possum Kingdom Lake. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church in Graham. Arrangements are under the direction of Morrison Funeral Home.

Jim was born on May 26, 1940 in Gilliam, West Virginia to the late James Earl and Virdie Marie (McCann) Roberts. He married Linda Waggoner on April 30, 2004 in Graham. Jim was a veteran of the United States Army where was an Armor Officer and Army Aviator with the distinction of obtaining the position of honor graduate at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He was an Airline Transport Pilot for 34 years for American Airlines and an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanic with Inspector authorization. Jim was a member of the International Aerobatic Club, and an Aerobatic Competency Examiner (ACE), a member of the United States Aerobatic Team 1981, 1982, member of the American Modelers Association and prolific builder and judge of radio controlled model airplanes. Jim built and flew several aerobatic aircraft in his lifetime, including the Laser 200 on display in the Smithsonian Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. He also starred in a television commercial for American Airlines and was a performer in airshows in North America for over 20 years.

Survivors include: wife, Linda Roberts of Possum Kingdom Lake; sons, Mike Roberts and wife, Stacey of Bentonville, Arkansas and Joshua Callahan and wife, Jackie of Dallas; step-sons, Jacob Waggoner and his wife, Morgan of Gunter and Alex Waggoner of Fort Worth; sister, Erlene Irwin of Evergreen, Colorado; ten grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, James E. Roberts and three brothers, Harry, Jack, and John Roberts.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Socitey.

The family will receive friends on Monday from 6 - 8 p.m. at the funeral home.