JD Roberts is a member of the Jesuit Class of 1950. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.
John David "JD" Roberts '50 On Monday, May 24, 2021 John David, "JD" Roberts passed away at the age of 88 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. JD was born in Oklahoma City October 24, 1932. By 1940, his family had moved to the Dallas area. JD attended Jesuit HS in Dallas graduating in 1950. JD chose the University of Oklahoma over Texas A&M University for college.
As a Sooner, JD was one of the most honored football players of his time. A senior lineman for the 1953-54 Oklahoma Sooners; he was the first player to sweep all awards given a lineman receiving the Outland Trophy and named Lineman of the Year by AP, UP, Fox, and Williamson. He graduated with a BS in Social Sciences. JD was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 1954; however, he played one year in the Canadian Football League with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
He served in the Marine Corps from 1955-57 as a Lieutenant. He played on the Quantico Football team being selected to the All-Service team and was a captain as well as player-coach. He was also a boxer in the Corps Golden Gloves. JD went on to assistant coach in college football at the University of Denver, University of Oklahoma, U.S. Naval Academy, Auburn University, and the University of Houston. He moved into pro football joining the New Orleans Saints as a scout and linebacker coach in the Saints debut year of 1967. In November 1970, he was named the Saints second Head Coach.
JD was released from the Saints in 1973 and went on to a 30-year career in the oil & gas service industry. He returned to Oklahoma City living in the area since 1982. He retired in 2014 from Newpark Drilling fluids.
JD married June Hill February 8, 1958 and were members of St. Michael's Church in Bethany, Ok.
He is preceded in death by his wife June, his father William Edward Roberts, mother Mildred Bianchi Roberts, brother William Francis Roberts, and sister Carol Roberts Matthews.
JD is survived by his brother Wayne Vincent Roberts and his wife Suzanne and five children: Greg Roberts (Cindee), Becky Smith (Greg), Mindy Fleet, Mark Roberts (Shelley), and Neil Roberts. JD has 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas |