Danny Ray Roberts

Danny "Dan" Ray Roberts, 65, of Aztec, passed away Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, at his home. He was born July 15, 1951, in Havre de Grace, Maryland, to Sam and Nellie Roberts. Dan grew up in the area of Joppa, Maryland, where he loved playing baseball and working on cars, especially race cars. A few years after graduating high school in 1969, Dan moved to Tucson, Ariz. Despite having no family or friends there, he was drawn to the "Wild West" through his reading about the historical events that took place in Tombstone. He became a mechanic at a Toyota dealership there for a short time before he joined the U.S. Border Patrol. He was stationed briefly in Yuma, Ariz., where his daughter Amanda was born in 1979, and then he was transferred to Douglas, Ariz. The rest of his career with the Border Patrol was spent in Douglas, until he retired as a Supervisory Agent in 2001, and then moved to Aztec, to be close to family. Dan had several passions in life. In addition to baseball (he was a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan), and cars, he loved the outdoors, and enjoyed backpacking and camping with his daughter in his younger days. He loved photography, and later in life focused much of his photographic skills on his grandchildren and their sporting events. Recently, genealogy had become a great passion of his, and he spent much of his time researching family history. By far, though, his biggest passion and greatest joy in life was being a father, and later, a grandfather. Dan was the best dad and grandpa anyone could ask for, he was his family's biggest cheerleader, and he took great pride in his loved ones' accomplishments. He was always there for his family and could be counted on for anything at any time. He rarely missed a sporting event or activity his grandkids were involved in. He loved all children, dogs and cats unconditionally, and was fondly known as "Grandpa Dan" to everyone who spent time with him. Dan is preceded in death by his parents, Nellie and Sam Roberts; and half-sister, Gearlene Cornett. He is survived by his daughter, Amanda Clugston; son-in-law, Matthew Clugston; three grandchildren, Jordan, Madeline and Cody; and two half-brothers, Leslie and Truman Roberts. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 17 at Brewer, Lee, and Larkin Funeral Home. Interment to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery, 1606 N. Dustin Ave. in Farmington. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dan's favorite charity, St. Jude's Children's Hospital (www.stjude.org). Dan's care is entrusted to Brewer, Lee and Larkin Funeral Home, 103 E. Ute St. in Farmington, 505-325-8688.