Thomas M. Roberson

Tom Roberson, 85, of Newton, Kansas, passed away peacefully on May 11, 2026, at Kansas Christian Home. Born July 9, 1940, in Great Bend, Tom was a lifelong Kansan who graduated from Great Bend High School and spent his life building businesses, memories, and the occasional improvised camper. He was preceded in death by his wife and life partner, Marge Roberson; his parents, Herb and Lorene; and his brothers, Jerry and Gene.

Tom was the quintessential entrepreneur — the kind of man who saw opportunity in a patch of dirt and a good idea. Over the decades, he founded and operated several Newton businesses, spending 8 years in the dry-cleaning business before striking out on his own, forming Roberson Construction Company and finally Roberson’s Retail Liquor Store. He was proud of his work and enjoyed mentoring younger people, always ready with a practical tip or an offbeat solution to a stubborn problem. He was well known for his beautiful woodworking. His house was famously “under construction” for years — largely because Tom could not resist a new project until Marge finally put her foot down about him climbing ladders.

A veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Air Force, Tom carried his service with quiet pride. He was active in civic life as an officer of the Kansas Jaycees, where he loved rolling up his sleeves to get things done and to encourage community leadership in others. Tom was also a steadfast supporter of the Caring Hands Humane Society, a cause close to his heart that reflected his lifelong affection for animals. Tom served on the Board and was the architect of the now famous “Catio”, their outdoor cat sanctuary.

Tom loved the outdoors and the company of family and friends. He spent many mornings and afternoons hunting and fishing, and he never turned down an occasional poker night. As manager of the Newton Gun Club, he taught his children to shoot—and to tell a good story afterward. One of his more adventurous family projects was buying an old school bus and converting it into a camper for vacations; that bus became the setting for countless road trips, campfire tales, and laughter-filled detours.

Known for hard work, practical wisdom, and a healthy skepticism of anything overly complicated, Tom was fearless about taking on new challenges. He had an easy laugh, a quick sense of humor, and a knack for finding solutions. He leaves behind a legacy of small-business grit, community service, and family-first values — plus a few perpetual home-improvement projects his family fondly remembers.

Tom is survived by his sons, Brad (Barb) and Brett (Trina) Roberson; his brother and lifelong best friend, Bob (Rosie) Roberson; his grandchildren Heather (Steven), Aaron (Megan), Brian, and Lindsey; his great-grandchildren Mackenzie, Aubree, Claire, Campbell, Landyn, Elana, Raegan, and Dylan; and his faithful feline companion, Boots.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Tom’s life at Petersen Family Funeral Home in Newton, Kansas on July 17, 2026. Visitation will start at 2:00 p.m., services at 3:00 pm and a reception at the American Legion at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Caring Hands Humane Society in Tom’s memory. For arrangements or condolences, please contact Petersen’s Funeral Home.