T. Van Roberts

Toulman Van (T. Van) Roberts passed away May 7, 2026, in Oklahoma City, surrounded by family and friends, at the age of 89. He was born in Houston, TX, on March 21, 1937. Known as “Sonny” during his childhood, he and his brothers had many pets, including a racoon, an alligator, a rabbit, and of course many dogs. In 1952 he moved to Oklahoma City, OK, with his parents, Richard (Duff) Roberts and Margaret (Mabry) Roberts, and younger brothers, William (Billy) and Gordon. He attended Classen High School, graduating in 1956. He earned a BS in Geology from the University of Oklahoma in 1960. He spent his summers working in the oilfields and once on a shrimp trawler. He married Phyllis (Thompson) Roberts, now Brawley, in 1958 and together they had three children: Kathleen, Eric, & Matthew.

Upon graduating from OU, he served in the United States Air Force from 1960 to 1963 on active duty at Dover AFB in Delaware. He served in the Air Force Reserves from 1966 to 1972 and was honorably discharged as a Captain.

When he returned to Oklahoma in 1963, he worked on the community development that became Grand Lake Towne, located on the shores of Grand Lake outside Ketchum, Oklahoma, a place that he returned to as often as possible throughout his life.

He moved his family to Oklahoma City in 1964 and continued his career in residential and commercial real estate development, returning to school to earn his JD from Oklahoma City University, graduating and passing the bar in 1970. He continued his professional life in banking and commercial lending for several banks and served as General Counsel for Red Eagle Resources.

He married Marcia (Knox) Roberts on August 1, 1981, and they shared 44 years of marriage together, living in Edmond, OK and spending time going to boat races and going to Grand Lake.

T. Van was known for his love of engines and anything that he could make go faster. He loved his 1973 454 Corvette and spent many weekends working on and racing drag boats. He taught all his children and many of their friends to waterski throughout the years spent at Grand Lake.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard (Duff) Roberts and Margarett (Mabry) Roberts, and brothers William Lafayette Roberts, and Gordon Roberts.

He is survived by his wife Marcia (Knox) Roberts, his daughter Kathleen Lorraine (Roberts) Stevenson and husband Thomas Stevenson, Jr., his son Eric Van Roberts and wife Leigh Roberts, and his son Matthew Scott Roberts, and wife Megan (Edwards) Roberts. He was incredibly proud of his six grandchildren: Bryce Thomas Stevenson and his wife Snigdha (Smriti) Stevenson, Logan Joseph Stevenson, Samuel Van Roberts, Katherine Leigh Roberts, Tanner Scott Roberts, and Lauren Lorraine Roberts and husband Dominic Voehler and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 PM Friday, May 29, 2026, at All Souls Episcopal Church, 6400 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City, OK. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or your favorite animal rescue organization. The family wishes to thank Steve and the staff at Graceful Living for their compassionate care in recent months.