Dru Myron Roberts was born June 15, 1949, in Jackson, Wyo., to Richard “Dick” Eugene Roberts and Leona Avilla Osborne. He died April 21, 2022, at his home. He was the oldest of six kids, followed by Dianne, Louis, Jenny, Zac and Lisa (Stub).
After graduating from Pinedale High School in 1967, he attended Casper College before transferring to Ricks College on a rodeo scholarship. In November 1970, he took a trip to his college roommate’s home to preg-test their cattle. There he met the love of his life, Tawny Jo Frandsen. On July 10, 1971, Dru and Tawny were married and remained side by side for over 50 years. Shortly after the wedding, Dru’s father passed away and Dru took over the outfitting business in partnership with his brother Louis. The outfitting and cattle partnership with Louis, Leisa, Dru and Tawny carried on for over 25 years. After selling all of their cows in 1998, the couple started selling pasture and contracting their cowboy skills and primarily cowboyed for Barney Ranches of Big Piney.
To this union three children were born. Tracy Jo in June 1974, Justin Dick in December 1975 and Deena Mae in April 1979. Tawny’s niece, Wendy Jolene Hill, visited the family on numerous occasions throughout her life and lived with the family during her high school years, where she was raised as a daughter. Dru and Tawny have always had their door open to friends and family and their home has been the site for many get-togethers, weddings and celebrations. He became an ordained wedding officiant and officiated the weddings of his granddaughter and a nephew.
Dru competed in all rodeo timed events for much of his life. During this time he was the pickup man in Big Piney and Pinedale. He continued team roping and was most proud that he was able to compete with his wife Tawny and son Justin. As an outfitter, he joined the Wyoming Outfitters Association and served as president for two years. He was also elected to the SCSD No. 1 school board for 13 years and was chairman for 11 of those years. During the long winters, Dru and Tawny worked on many pole furniture projects and Dru had great skills etching glass.
Family has always been the most important thing in Dru’s life and has been enriched with the continued additions of 11 grandchildren and six great-grandkids.
He is survived by his wife Tawny; children Tracy (Ray) Pape, Justin (Linda) Roberts, Deena (Don) Martin, Wendy (Adrian) Brauer; grandchildren Lainy Jo (Patrick) Williams, Ray Camden “RC” Pape, Jake Dru Pape, Tayla Marie Roberts, Lyndsey Nicole Martin, Dustin Lane Martin, Riley Myron Martin, Kali Mae Martin, Hattan A Brauer, Parker Sage Brauer and Morgan Jade Brauer; great-grandchildren Breckley Jo Williams, Isla Reagan Williams, Mila Leona and Ellarya RayAnn Williams, Huxley Aurora and Alessia Dawn Williams; siblings Dianne (Joe) Boroff, Leisa Roberts (in-law), Jenny Roberts (Pat Clark), Zac (Patti) Roberts and Lisa (Stub) Tatro and many numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his grandson Wyatt Clancy Martin, his parents Dick and Leona, his brother Louis X and his nephew Jory Z. Tatro.
Funeral services will be held at the Sublette County Fairgrounds on May 8 at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family requests any donations can be made to APS Foundation of America (Antiphospholipid Syndrome) or Kickin’ Cancer in Sublette County.
