James F. Roberts, 80, of Lincoln, died Saturday, Dec. 18, 2010, at Lincoln. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2010, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington with the Rev. Caroline Vickery officiating. Private burial will be held prior to the memorial service at Greenwood Cemetery in Lexington. Visitation was Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010, at the Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington.

Jim was born June 11, 1930, in Lexington, to John H. and Athea L. (Hines) Roberts.  Jim was a graduate of Lexington High School, attended Wabash College in Indiana, and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln.     

He was an outstanding leader and innovator in the beef industry at the state and national levels. He was founder and owner of Roberts Cattle Company in Lexington. He was a member of the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees, the Chancellor's Club at the University of Nebraska, Cattlemen, and National Cattlemen's Beef Association.     

Jim was the Agricultural 2001 Committee Chairman, President of Ag Builders, a member of Lincoln Foundation Board of Directors, and was appointed to the Task Force for Higher Education in 1984, by Governor Bob Kerrey. He was also a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, the Lexington Masonic Lodge (Thistle Lodge) and the American Legion. Jim served his country as a staff sergeant in the Nebraska Air National Guard.     

Jim was the recipient of the Ak-Sar-Ben Agriculture Achievement Award in 1983, and the Nebraska Hall of Agriculture Achievement in 1983. He was named the NCA's National Cattle Businessman of the Year in 1987, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Block and Bridle Club Honoree in 1988, Nebraska Builders recipient in 1989, and received the Business Leadership Award from the Alumni Association of the College of Business Administration at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1992.   

Survivors include his wife, Jan Roberts of Lincoln; children, John (Darci) Roberts of Lincoln, Dan (Tempie) Roberts of Lexington, Steve (Cheryl) Roberts of Omaha, Chris (Lori) Hansen of Holbrook, Gini (Burlin) Germany of Las Vegas, Nevada, Lorrie (Brett) Scott of College Station, Texas and Cara (Norm Clarke) Roberts of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Jim was always an active part of the children's lives.  He often thought of his employees as family also.  Jim will be very missed.      

He was also survived by his former wife, Barbara Roberts of Tucson, Ariz., as well as 11 grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, John and Athea.     

Memorials are suggested to, in lieu of flowers, First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, People's City Mission in Lincoln or Westcliffe Foundation, Westcliffe, Colo. Please make online condolences to the family through reynoldslovefuneralhome.com. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is in charge of arrangements.