Roebuck, George Allen - Starkville George Allen Steve Roebuck, 70, of Starkville, MS, died Wednesday, December 11, 2013. He died after a long struggle with a heart/lung condition.
He was born to the late George Travis Steve and Mary Kathryn Kakie Crosthwait Roebuck of Houston, MS on April 5, 1943, in the old Houston Hospital. He was named for his two grandfathers; but, for all of his life, he went by the nickname Steve which was also the nickname of his father. His paternal grandparents were the late George William and Minnie Lee Martin Roebuck of Houston, MS. His maternal grandparents were the late Allen Curtis and May Ottie Mayottie Springer Crosthwait of Woodland, MS.
Steve was graduated from Houston High School in 1961. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business (Accounting) from Mississippi State University in 1967, and a Master of Science Degree in Systems Management (Logistics Systems) from the University of Southern California in 1977. He married Betty Lynn Draper, the daughter of the late, Joseph Collins, Sr. and Hazel Dorn Chappell Draper, in Rich Square, NC, on August 21, 1966.
Steve worked as a Civil Servant for the U.S. Air Force for 37 years and four months; and, adding in 20 months of unused sick leave, he retired with 39 years of service. Included in his Civil Service time was 20 months and 18 days (but who s counting, as Steve used to say) spent in the U.S. Army (lastly as a SP4) at Fort Dix, NJ (1968) and Long Binh Post, Vietnam (1969). Before and after the Army services, Steve and Betty lived in Fort Walton Beach, FL while Steve worked first at Hulburt Field and later at Eglin AFB, FL as an Air Force Auditor. In 1974, Steve and his family moved to Sterling, VA when Steve accepted a two-year assignment at the Pentagon working in the Air Force Associate Auditor General s office. In 1976, Steve remained in the Pentagon when he accepted a position as a Systems Accountant in the Air Force Contract Financing Office. In 1991, he became the Chief of that office, a title that he held until his retirement on September 30, 2004. Among other accomplishments, he was a graduate of the correspondence courses of the Naval War College (with honors), the Air War College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and the National War College. He was in the Pentagon on 9/11 (September 11, 2001) when the terrorists crashed the plane into The Building. Upon retiring, Steve and Betty moved to Starkville, MS, to follow the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Steve was a softball umpire and basketball referee for the Potomac Valley Officials Association in Loudon County, VA, for 24 years. During that time he officiated over 5,000 games. He served as the Umpire-in-Chief for several state and regional softball tournaments; he was recognized for a 20-year career as a softball umpire for the Virginia High School League; and he served as a coach, umpire, and president of the Lower Loudoun Girls Softball League. In his spare time, he also enjoyed stamp collecting and genealogy.
Steve is survived by his wife, Betty Lynn Draper Roebuck of Starkville, MS; his three daughters, Janet Lynn (John Thomas JT ) Williamson of Madison, MS, Julie Ann (Michael Nicholas Mike ) Koplets of Ashburn, VA, and Joy Carol (Brian Vance) Bowman of Ashburn, VA; his four grandchildren, JT Jr. and Emily Lynn Williamson of Madison, MS, and Ainsley Lane and Finn Preston Bowman of Ashburn, VA; his one step-grandchild, Patricia Lynn Tricia Koplets; his one sister, Kathy (David) Aven of Fayetteville, GA; his one niece, Blakely Aven (Buddy) Brown of Senoia, GA; and his one nephew, Justin (Amanda) Aven of Hendersonville, TN.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 14, 2013, at Houston Funeral Home from 12:30 PM until 1:45 PM.
The celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 14, 2013, at 2:00 PM at Houston Funeral Home in Houston, MS with Rev. David Shumaker officiating. Burial will follow at Houston Cemetery in Houston, MS. Houston Funeral Home of Houston, MS is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to The MSU Foundation, P. O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762.