Dr. Ammon D. Roberson

Dr. Ammon D. Roberson, 100, Independence, MO, formerly of Warrensburg, MO, passed away Feb. 14, 2015. Cremation will be followed by inurnment at Missouri State Veterans’ Cemetery in Higginsville, MO at a later date. Ammon was born June 3, 1914 in a log cabin in Franklin County, IL, the fourth of nine children of Ernest and Anna (Phillips) Roberson. He graduated from Benton (IL) High School, earned an Associate’s Degree from Graceland College and an B.S. in Music from UMC in Warrensburg before he was drafted into the U.S. Army during WW II. Shortly after induction, he formed an Army band in Abilene, TX whose members have kept in touch with each other every year at Christmas time. After serving in Italy during the war, he earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Iowa and then his Doctorate in Music Education from Indiana University. He paid for all of his degrees by working his way through college. He lived in Warrensburg from 1955 through 2009 when he moved to the White Oak Living Center in Independence where he was assisted by his three nephews: Blake, Scott and Kent Roberson of Independence and Liberty, MO.. He was a professor of music at the University of Central Missouri for many years. While at Indiana University and UMC he trained future band directors. He was a member of the Community of Christ Warrensburg Congregation and had organized and led many church choirs over the years. He was a member of the Missouri Retired Teacher’s Association. Ammon was preceded in death by his wife Nora Roberson. He is survived by step-daughter Anne Johnson and husband Mike, Baltimore, MD; sister Thelma Fugate, Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Sarah Johnson, Ian Johnson; great-grandchildren Adrian Kaczmarek-Johnson, Emory Kaczmarek-Johnson; many other family members and Ammon’s special friend Susan Peterson.