COLUMBUS
Dennis Dean Roberts I, 73, passed from this at 4:35 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2020 at his home. He was born July 4, 1946 in Columbus, IN to Elmer and Jean Booker. As a baby he was adopted by John Carl and Carrie Elizabeth Roberts. He grew up in Columbus and remained here most of his life.
He attended Garfield Elementary, Central Junior High and Columbus High School where he played football from eighth to twelfth grade. He was a member of Boy Scouts Troop 60 (560). Dennis attended Indiana State University where he played football. Dennis was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a boxer and became the golden gloves champion. In his younger adult years, he played softball.
Mr. Roberts worked at Cummins for 30 years. Dennis started his career at Cummins in the shop and shortly took a position at Atterbury as a residential hall employee and became Center Disciplinary Director. After getting married he returned to Cummins where he held numerous positions by coming up through the ranks. He worked as an administrator industrial marketer, account manager, director of North American Marketing, director of international marketing, director of human resources, executive director of corporate human resources, and vice president of human resources. After retiring, Dennis consulted for Gateway, Motorcoach and Real World Testing in human resources.
Dennis married Paulette Combs Roberts on July 7, 1973 at First Consolidated Baptist Church in Hazard, KY. He was blessed with one son Dennis Dean Roberts II.
Dennis was a former member on the board of Human Rights Commission, housing board city of Columbus, NAACP life member, mayor’s advisory board, member of BCSC advisory council, and the William R. Laws board. He was a member of Second Baptist Church, Sunday School teacher, deacon, Chairman of the Deacon Board, a member of the men’s ministry and tutor for Columbus Enrichment Program. Dennis became a Christian at a young age. He was one of 12 founding members of the African American Fund. He received numerous awards. The one most cherished was the NAACP Beloved award.
Dennis was one of those gifted people with a photographic mind. He loved history, sixties music, detective and western movies.
He is survived by his wife; Paulette Combs Roberts; son Dennis Dean Roberts II; grandson Dennis Joel; granddaughters, Jaden and Araina; sister, Jill Cecil of Indianapolis; foster family included William Hail, Russell Mize and Theodore Mize. He is also survived by numerous half-sisters and brothers along with a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Jackie McCarrell.
A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held 12:00 p.m. (noon) Friday at Second Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Rowe officiating. A gathering of family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. to time of service Friday at the church.
Military honors will be presented by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
Burial will be at Garland Brook Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to Second Baptist Church or the African American Fund through the Heritage Fund.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the Roberts family and a video tribute may be viewed at barkesweaverglick.com
Arrangements were made by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.
