Danny Earl "Dan" Roberts

Danny Earl “Dan” Roberts of Keene, Texas, was born in Fort Worth on July 22, 1949 to Percy Willis Jr. and Mildred Louise Roberts (Dean). Dan passed away on November 19, 2024.

Dan attended Chisolm Trail Academy in Keene and later graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Economics from Southwestern Union College (now known as Southwestern Adventist University) in Keene, Texas. 

Dan was a leader in the business community and had an amazing entrepreneurial spirit. In his lifetime, he was a supervisor for Frontier Airlines, owned a gas station and restaurant called “The Railhead”, had a mini mart, a sign shop, he ran Chaf-In restaurant, was a landman in the oil and gas industry, he developed the bus depot and antique mall in Cleburne, was editor of The Keene Chronicle and then the Johnson County Observer, and then his crowning jewel, included transforming Martin’s (Dillon) Funeral Home into the train exhibit and ice cream shop now known as “The Dillon Depot.”

Dan served as Mayor of Keene from 1974 to 1978. Dan was a political activist in Johnson County always “fighting for the people.” He served on many boards over the years, including the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, Keene Independent School Board, and the Johnson County Historical Society. 

He was an avid collector of all things “Dr. Pepper”. He and friends traveled to the Dublin Dr. Pepper plant, the Dr. Pepper Museum and ultimately they located the infamous Dr. Pepper truck. That truck was in many parades and won a number of awards, including the most recent recognition of “2024’s Most Awesome” in the Chisolm Trail Hot Rods & Heroes 100 Club Motor Festival. 

Dan had an affinity for trains starting from his childhood days with his dad, P.W., who worked on the train. His buddy Terry St. Clair and he collected train memorabilia from places in and around Johnson County and in their road trips and travels. 

Other hobbies included collecting antique cars and participating in “The Great Race” with his buddy, Gary Lillard. He made a great Santa Clause over the years and delighted people with his hearty, belly laugh.

He was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Chanda Roberts Roe.

Dan is survived by his niece, Neely Roe Fortinberry and nephew, Blake Roe; grand-nieces Addison Fortinberry and Braedy Roe, grand-nephew Braxden Roe; numerous cousins, family members and close friends. 

A special thanks to all of Dan’s dear friends who cared for him throughout his lifetime and through his last days. 

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Rosser Funeral Home with a Celebration of Dan’s life following at The Dillon Depot.