Russell L. "Jack" ROBERTS

June 22, 1942 - June 9, 2010

Married to Roberta Moffett on Aug. 18, 1968.

"Parents of Stephanie, Russell "Rusty" and Elizabeth "Buffy". "

District Judge Russell L. “Jack” Roberts passed away Wednesday night. He was 67 years old.

According to Faulkner County Coroner Pat Moore, Roberts died at about 10:50 p.m. Wednesday.

Roberts’ wife, Bobbi, found him unresponsive at their home at 10:13 p.m. and called 9-1-1. Roberts was transported via ambulance to Conway Regional Medical Center where he was pronounced dead by the attending emergency room physician at 10:50 p.m.

Moore said Roberts’ manner of death has been ruled natural causes, but the official cause is pending further investigation into his pertinent past medical history.

“Roberts was a loving family man and a true friend to the entire community,” Moore said. “He was a man of impeccable integrity, but, at the same time, as friendly and personable as your neighbor. Judge Roberts contributed much to his community, county and state, and his presence will be missed by his friends and colleagues. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”

A Conway district judge for 27 years, Roberts began his career as a practicing attorney in 1972. He was the assistant city attorney for the city of Conway from 1974-1978, before taking over as chief deputy prosecuting attorney. He held that position until 1982 when he was elected municipal judge.

“He was a good friend for over 30 years, and I’m going to miss him terribly,” Circuit Judge Charles “Ed” Clawson said. “You could count on Jack, and he would do anything for you. He will be sorely missed by the entire legal community in Faulkner County.” Before serving as judges, Roberts and Clawson practiced law together in the early 1980s.

“He was a great guy with a great personality,” Conway Mayor Tab Townsell said. “He was a great judge, and we were lucky to have him on the chair for all those years. He will be greatly missed.”

In addition to his role as a district judge, Roberts was the vice chair of the supervisory board of the Arkansas Crime Information Center and was the first Faulkner County judge to implement the work service program. He was a past president of the District Court Judges Council and served on the council’s education committee. Appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court to serve on the court’s committee on automation, Roberts’ court was one of the first selected to participate in a new computerized case management system.

For Roberts, one of the highlights of his career was educating local fourth- and fifth-graders on the court system and being responsible citizens. Every year, Roberts would speak to students and invite classes to his courtroom. Another point of pride for the Faulkner County native was his work and involvement with the Boy Scouts.

“He was a great man and father,” Roberts’ son, Rusty, said. “He loved being a judge and meeting everyone in Conway. When he wasn’t working, he loved fishing and telling jokes. He was truly a wonderful person.”

“I saw him as a silent giant among men,” daughter, Buffy, said. “He wasn’t always the most verbal person, but he was always there. He loved his pride and joy, his family.”

“(His death) was a real shock,” attorney Jesse Thompson said. “He was probably the most popular and most liked man in Faulkner County. He was as best a friend as you could ask for. He was a great judge, a great family man and just a great guy.”



Roberts is survived by his wife, Bobbi; children, Russell L. “Rusty” Jr., of Rome, Ga., Elizabeth “Buffy” Goforth and her husband, Tommy, of Conway, and Stephanie Jacobsen; granddaughter, Lauren Elizabeth Goforth; special friend, Mitchell Ross; and sisters, Suzanne Brazil and her husband, Bill, of Conway, and Robin Priest and her husband, Eddie, of Dallas, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.

Roberts’ funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Conway’s First Baptist Church. Visitation is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Gov. Mike Beebe will appoint someone to fill the vacancy for the duration of the term.

Contributed on 6/3/11 by hawkinsdonna
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Record #: 538116

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