Arden "Russ" Roberts

In Memory of Arden (Russ) Jaye Roberts Arden (Russ) Jaye Roberts, age 81, of Newnan, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at home, in his wife's arms. Born in Warren, Michigan, he was the son of Arden J. and Helen Mae Roberts. Arden (Russ) married Patricia Jane Buechler on September 27, 1986, in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Roberts moved to Newnan after marrying Patricia, where they resided for the past 39 ½ years. He was born and raised in Warren, Michigan. Throughout his life, Russ used his phenomenal voice and exceptional capability playing every instrument he touched (saxophone, clarinet, keyboard, flute, and guitar). He enjoyed singing and playing rock music in his friend's garage. His group of friends performed at school dances and weddings throughout high school. He was also the drum major in the high school band. One of his friends was Mitch Rider (stage name). He played the guitar and sang backup for Mitch Rider and the Detroit Wheels during his first two years of college. He also played the saxophone in jazz bands during college. Prior to finishing college, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Officer Candidate School. Immediately after graduation, Russ was sent to Vietnam as a Second Lieutenant, Field Artillery, serving as a Forward Observer. Russ was seriously wounded on Easter Sunday, 1968 by an American rocket, then hit by enemy ground fire as the medics were racing to medevac him by helicopter. His wounds sadly stopped his beloved musical career. Russ spent the next 18 months in Walter Reed Army Hospital, where he met his first wife, Susan, an Army nurse. He continued as an Army officer, reaching the rank of captain, until in 1977 he collapsed due to heart problems. He was diagnosed with IHSS and transferred to the National Institute of Health where in 1978 he underwent experimental open-heart surgery. He was the longest-surviving patient of that surgery - now used to save many lives. He was medically retired from the Army in November of 1977. He then started a long career as a civilian working for the Army, rising to the rank of GS15 and Chief of Base Realignment and Closure for Forces Command headquarters in Atlanta. After serving almost 34 years with the Department of the Army, Russ retired from the civil service. He then focused on his love of golf, playing at least 3 times a week with his wonderful golf partners; playing pool with his pool group (Russ also excelled at pool); and going on adventures with Pat, their son James, and their friends. In December of 2021, Russ once again went under lifesaving open-heart surgery. Doctors implanted an LVAD. This device is attached to the heart and took over the left side of his heart, pulling oxygenated blood from his heart and moving it to the rest of his body. The device's controller (computer) was cabled from the device to outside his chest. This was run by 2 lithium batteries or plugged into the wall. Just as Russ met all of his previous health challenges, he faced this head-on. Over the last 4 years of his life, Russ struggled with a rapid decline in his health. In the end, he succumbed to heart failure and dementia (caused by years of a malfunctioning heart). He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather; coaching Little League, playing laser tag, racing on roller skates, camping, archery, and much more. Russ was a special friend of about everyone he met. He went through life smiling and laughing despite continuous, severe health challenges. He could always make you smile even under the worst circumstances. Russ is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Jane Roberts; his children, Dawn Michelle Barkley and husband, David of Chandler, Arizona; Steve Roberts of Phoenix, Arizona; and Arden James Roberts and wife, Kelsey of Woodstock, Georgia; and his former wife, Susan, the mother of Steve and Dawn; and two grandsons, Jeremy Roberts and Aaron Robinson. Visitation will be on Sunday, July 19, 2026 from 3 - 4 PM at McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 38 Jackson St., Newnan, with a memorial service to follow at 4:00 PM in the chapel. Afterwards, all are invited to join the family at Pat and Russ's home located at 35 Water Stone Cove, Newnan. Russ will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with full Military honors. The family requests that friends wishing to remember Russ make memorial contributions to the Newnan-Coweta Humane Society, 608 US-29 N, Newnan, GA 30263; or Meals on Wheels Coweta, https://mealsonwheelscoweta.org/donate/. Family and friends can also share their memories and condolences at www.mckoon.com. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-253-4580

Arden "Russ" Roberts

February 14, 1945 - July 7, 2026