Connell Bolton Roberts Obituary (1923 - 2012)

Our dear husband, father and grandfather passed away Friday, November 16, 2012, surrounded by loving family. Born February 16, 1923, in Ogden, Utah, to Milford and Zillah Iona Bolton Roberts, Connell served in the army during WWII and then as an LDS missionary in New Zealand. He later attended BYU, where he was president of the BYU campus branch, and met his sweetheart Emelia Olsen. They were married on September 14, 1950, in the Cardston Temple and were blessed with 7 children. Earning BS and MS degrees in chemistry at BYU and a PhD in Education from UC Berkeley, he taught chemistry and became Associate Dean at Sacramento City College and Administrative Dean at San Bernardino Valley College. He had a deep testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and served as seminary and institute teacher, Bishop, a counselor to the Stake President, and Stake Patriarch. He and Emelia also served a mission in Scotland. Connell was a legendary gardener with a quick wit, a sweet tooth, and a friendly wink. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Emelia; children Doug (Jeanette) Roberts, Connie Schreiner, Kathy (Stan) Johnson, Judy Salazar, Paul (Mary) Roberts, Barbara (Rick) Lamprecht, and Tom (Jennifer) Roberts; 37 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren; siblings Jeniel (Don) Stephens and Stan (Donna) Roberts, and in-laws Nancy Roberts and Ralph Dearden. He was preceded in death by parents and siblings Glen Roberts, Grant Roberts, Helen (Bob) Chandler, and Nancy Dearden. Services will be held Saturday, November 24 at 10 a.m. at the Stake Center, 2000 North 450 East, Orem. The viewings will be Friday, November 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins-Soffe funeral home, 1007 West South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, and one hour before the funeral. The family expresses deep gratitude to the loving caregivers at Carrington Court and Millcreek Hospice.