Fr. Henry P. Roberson

Father Henry P. Roberson, a priest who served five parishes in the archdiocese and as an honored military chaplain, died Jan. 26. He was 79.

The vigil was held Feb. 1 at Saint Thomas More Catholic Church in Norman. The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 2, also at Saint Thomas More. Following Mass, the burial took place at Fort Sill National Cemetery in Lawton.

Father Roberson was born in Lawton on Aug. 17, 1946. He was the son of William David and Bertie Mae (Johnson). He is survived by his sister Nancy Cocciolone. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Jacqueline Adams, Helen Faye Houser and brother William Roberson Jr.

In 1967, Father Roberson earned his bachelor’s degree in history/political science from the University of Oklahoma. After entering Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri, he received a master’s in divinity in 1971.

He later attended Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey, receiving a master’s in theology in 1977.

Father Roberson was ordained on May 27, 1971, by Bishop Victor J. Reed at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lawton.

He served as an associate pastor at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oklahoma City, Saint Mary Catholic Church in Ponca City, Saint John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon and Saint Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church in Moore.

He served as pastor at Saint Mary Catholic Church in Guthrie.

In 2022 Father Roberson, contacted the Catholic Foundation of Oklahoma to create the Sacred Heart OKC School Endowment. Earnings from the endowment provide the school with an annual distribution, in perpetuity.

Father Roberson retired from the U.S. Army as a Lt. Colonel. He served as an Army chaplain and on July 7, 1994, received The Meritorious Service Medal “for outstanding duty performance as a Chaplain, who is trusted and respected by every member of the command.”

At the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City 2021 Jubilarian Dinner, Father Roberson celebrated 50 years as a priest.