David Louis Roberson

David Louis Roberson, 74, of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2025. He was the son of the late Samuel Eli Roberson and Mary Magnolia White Roberson.

He was born on May 3, 1950, in Wilson, North Carolina. He was a graduate of North Carolina State University where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering. Soon after graduating he started working for General Electric in Hendersonville, NC and Lynchburg, VA. There he advanced to managing as the Technical Leader of Engineering in the Mobile Radio Department. With his success at finding and fixing problems, he decided to take a leap and opened two successful businesses. He was a RF Design Engineering Consultant working throughout the United States and on occasion other countries. 

During David’s career he had many accomplishments and multiple patents, some of those highlights include: the two-way radio design using 800 megahertz, communications from tollbooths to cars, two-way FM radio, communication boxes used on the back of trains, and anti theft equipment and system that are still utilized today. He worked on cell phones, and antenna towers where he made the first cell phone call in North Carolina.

His search for knowledge led to him learning many things on his own from books including Physics in the 6th grade. After reading a book on C++, he entered a worldwide computer programming competition where he placed third. When not working he enjoyed spending time with his family especially hiking, canoeing, skiing, spelunking, and tennis. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Frances Mae Hill Roberson; daughters, Julie Roberson and Stacey Kashouty and husband Andrew; grandchild, Madalynn Roberson; sister, Pamela Todd and husband Steve, and multiple nieces, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Patricia Dawn Morrill and husband Samuel, Brenda Jean Roberson, and Samuel Albert Roberson. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Samaritans Purse, PO Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607; Thomas Road Baptist Church, Attn. Finance Thomas Road Baptist Church One Mountain View Road Lynchburg, VA 24502; Brookhill Wesleyan Church, 1043 Cifax Road Forest, Virginia 24551; or a charity of your choice.

A Service will be conducted at Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The family will receive friends one hour prior with light refreshments. Interment will follow after the service at Virginia Memorial Park.

Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family.