Donald Thomas Roberts

Donald Thomas Roberts (60) passed away on January 27, 2025, in Des Moines, Iowa. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory (8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, Iowa). A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory. Flowers are appreciated and any memorial contributions to help with final costs can be directed to Drew Roberts or Ashley Sohl. 

Donald (Donny) Roberts was born to James and Judith (Brady) Roberts on November 15, 1964, in Des Moines, Iowa. He grew up and was raised by his parents in Urbandale Iowa, along with his two brothers Tim and Kelly. In his youth, Donny was involved in many sports playing football, baseball, and was a great wrestler at Urbandale High School. Donny graduated from Urbandale High School in 1983. Following graduation, Donny attended Drake University to wrestle but left after one year to become a father and start working to provide for his growing family. 

In 1984 Donny and Jacqueline Livingston united in marriage. Though they would later divorce, together they brought 3 wonderful children into the world: Drew, Ashley, and Joshua. The family would enjoy many sporting events whether it was one of the kids or an Iowa Cubs game. The family also enjoyed several vacations over the years going to places all over the country including Colorado, Louisiana, Wisconsin Dells, South Carolina, Chicago, but our favorite destination was always the week spent in August every year with the entire Roberts family up at lake Okoboji. Time was spent going to Arnolds Park to ride go karts and mini golf, going out on the wave runners, boating and turning as fast or sharp as possible to throw the kids off the tube so he could enjoy a good laugh. 

Donny was employed mostly in the sales industry and held jobs in several different sectors throughout his life and at times held multiple jobs to provide for his family. He was in dental sales early on, but a lot of his career was with Pepsi Co starting as a route salesman and working his way up to management, moving the family from Des Moines to Carroll, IA and finally to Cedar Falls, IA. Later in life he would go into the car sales business and eventually got his CDL and did some over the road trucking. Donny took after his mother Judy in the kitchen and was an excellent cook and had many of his mother’s recipes that he shared with his family and was a master on the grill as well. Donny enjoyed riding his Harley, spending time with his grandchildren taking them for ice cream or across the street to the park. Donny also very much enjoyed golfing with his two sons whenever he could and was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas City Chiefs, and Chicago Cubs fan. 

Donny was proceeded in death by his mother Judith Roberts. Left to cherish his memory are his father, James Roberts; children, Drew Roberts, Ashley (Wayne) Sohl, and Joshua Roberts; Brothers, Tim(Jackie) Roberts and Kelly Roberts; Grandchildren, Emma Sohl, Hayden Sohl, Boston Roberts and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.