McRoberts, James Alexander

Birth Name McRoberts, James Alexander
Nick Name Jim, Mac
Birth Name McRoberts, James Alexander
Gender male
Age at Death 82 years, 1 month, 3 days

Narrative

WW1 Draft Card:
Living at 2202 Park, KC, MO
Working at Jones Stores Co 12th & Main, KC, MO June 5, 1917
Build: Medium, Slender, Gray eyes, Dark Brown hair

 

message from Kyle, his grandson:
Jim's nickname was "Mac" from an early age. Maybe it was because he would correct their pronunciation of McRoberts...
I knew him the first 15 years of my life. They lived about 5 miles away and we visited on every possible occasion. I remember Lela was somewhat aloof, as if she'd had enough of kids! but Mac was extroverted and always trying to make everyone as comfortable as possible. He had the perfect salesman's personality and was always making quips and puns. He reserved his dry humor for mixed company. He was exceptionally industrious and provided well for his extended family, altho he retired before I was born. He worked for the RailRoad most of his life and visited everywhere in the country the railroad went. He was very devout and went to Central Bible Church while in KC; there he was a deacon and very involved in church activities.

After retiring, he was a salesman at Builders Mart "5903 Johnson Dr" in Mission, KS

Here's an example of the kind of joke he wrote down to tell his male customers:

"There was a young girl from Anheuser
Who said no man could surprise her
But Pabst took a chance
Found Schlitz in her pants
And sent her home Pale Budweiser"

Attached an example of his Vacation Diaries.

Events

Event Date Place Description Sources
Birth 1893-11-23 Union, Pike, IN, USA   1a
Military Service from 1918-06-02 to 1919-03-31   PVT US MARINE CORPS WORLD WAR I 2
Event Note

spent 9 months at Quantico; got special discharge (sickness and dependencies)

Death 1975-12-26 Kansas City, Jackson, MO    
Burial 1975-12-31 Ft. Leavenworth, KS National Cemetery 3 4
Event Note

US, Veterans' Gravesites, ca.1775-2019
Full Name Mcroberts, James Alexander
Birth Date 23 Nov 1893
Death Date 26 Dec 1975
Cemetery Ft Leavenworth National Cemetery
Address Fort Leavenworth, Ks 66027
Cemetery Plot Section P Site 170
Notes Pvt US Marine Corps World War I
Conflict World War I
Served For United States of America

Cause Of Death     Heart Disease  

Parents

Relation to main person Name Birth date Death date Relation within this family (if not by birth)
Father McRoberts, David Alvin1872-06-011926-07-12
Mother McAtee, Elizabeth Frances1876-07-061957-01-09
         McRoberts, James Alexander 1893-11-23 1975-12-26
    Sister     McRoberts, Audrey Dorothy 1896-07-04 1992-06-20
    Sister     McRoberts, Pansy 1898-09-01 1899-12-00
    Brother     McRoberts, Glen William 1900-08-08 1972-05-11
    Sister     McRoberts, Leona F? 1901-11-23 1977-12-29
    Sister     McRoberts, Mildred Maye 1903-08-12 1986-07-00
    Sister     McRoberts, Nellie 1907-02-02 1998-11-13
    Brother     McRoberts, Lester A 1909-11-12 1953-04-13
    Sister     McRoberts, Ethel Mary 1913-10-26 1989-07-22

Families

Family of McRoberts, James Alexander and Myers, Lela Marie

Married Wife Myers, Lela Marie ( * 1897-10-25 + 1971-06-08 )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Marriage 1921-03-21 Ottawa, Franklin, KS   5
Event Note

Internet source changed. Now here:
https://www.franklincoks.org/DocumentCenter/View/1589/4frmrecm?bidId=

  Narrative

In a letter to her sister Vera she implores her not to get married so hastily at such a young age. She says she and Mac knew each other from 1914, but only dated for a few weeks before she left on her tour, Oct 1917. She considered it a test of Mac's commitment and loyalty. She said his love had only grown in the 9 months since and confessed that he had proposed to her and would wait 10 years for her to return home.

I believe they first lived in KC, MO (4430 Highland in 1930 census) with Lela's mother, Adah, but during 1930 they moved to Wichita, KS (544 N Estelle Ave). They moved to 4104 Greenbrier Dr, Dallas, TX in June 1, 1941 and lived there until ~1954, when they moved back to KC (house at 5647 Granada Ln, Roeland Park, KS).

1950 Census Dallas, TX. (James A, Lela M, Lavera L), Jim is a "Freight Agent" for the railroad.

Note: James appears twice in 1930 Census -
1) Boarder in Wichita, KS
2) head of hh in KC, MO with Lela, James, Loren, and Adah Myers.

They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary on March 21, 1971, 3 months before Lela died.

  Children
Name Birth Date Death Date
McRoberts, James Armand1921-10-251977-09-29
McRoberts, Loren Myers1924-01-071974-05-15
McRoberts, Lavera Lee1935-02-102005-12-31

Family of McRoberts, James Alexander and Brackinreed, Verna M

Married Wife Brackinreed, Verna M ( * 1906-04-15 + 2002-01-01 )
   
Event Date Place Description Sources
Marriage 1975-05-16 Kansas City, Jackson, MO Marriage of James A McRoberts and Verna Brackinreed