James Kenneth Roberts, 86 of O'Kean died Wednesday, January 27, 2021 at Five Rivers Medical Center in Pocahontas. Kenneth was born near Gainesville, AR on September 3, 1934 the sixth of seven children to Oral and Willie (Beasley) Roberts.
In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by his brothers Flavious, M.C., and Eugene Roberts; sisters Ovene Finley and Mary Cochran; grandsons Jeromey Roberts and Gauge Murray; and great-granddaughter Kyla Rickey.
Survivors include the love of his life and life-partner Donna of the home; children and step-children Ronnie "Buck" Roberts of Delaplaine, Steve (Gayle) Roberts of O'Kean, Kathy (David) Hicks of Violet Hill, Andrea (Chris) Murray of Delaplaine, Leroy (Bridgett) Robertson of Iberia, MO, Loretta (John) Loveless of Mexico, MO, and Prescott (Miranda) Robertson of Fort Carson, CO; grandchildren Shawna (Jessie) Rickey, Jason (Tai) Ballard, Ronnie (DaRae) Roberts, Whitney (Tyler) Cooper, Katie (Adam) French, Justin (Caitlin) Roberts, and Olivia and Wyatt Murray; 13 great-grandchildren; brother Dallas Roberts of Delaplaine; and many other family and friends.
Kenneth attended school at Beech Grove, Lafe, and Delaplaine, where he graduated in 1953. He was a founding member of the Delaplaine Hunting Club, where he enjoyed countless hours hunting and relaxing. After retiring from farming, Kenneth and Donna owned and operated the Parachute Inn Restaurant at the Walnut Ridge Airport for several years, where they were known for their great food (due in part to Kenneth's catfish) and the experience of dining inside a retired Southwest Airlines 737 jet. Kenneth also served several years as an alderman and mayor of O'Kean.
Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, February 1, immediately followed by funeral services at 1:00 p.m. in McNabb Funeral Home Chapel in Pocahontas, with Rev. Jay Hicks and Douglas Garrett speaking. Burial will follow at Greene County Memorial Gardens in Paragould.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Roberts, Justin Roberts, Brett Ballard, Hunter Rickey, Jason Ballard, and Adam French. Honorary pallbearers will be David Hicks, Leroy Robertson, Ethan Rickey, and Wyatt Murray. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

To follow the directives of Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, masks covering the mouth and nose are required for all persons in Arkansas for all indoor and outdoor settings, with exposure to non-household members where social distancing cannot be assured. Those attending will also be asked to sign a contact registry and maintain a social distance.