James A. Roby

James Alan Roby, age 82 of Fredericksburg, VA died peacefully December 29, 2025 in Fredericksburg, VA.

He was born on October 6, 1943 in Petersburg, WV, at the King Clinic on Virginia Avenue. He was the son of the late Benjamin Grant Roby who died November 28, 1965 and the late Jeanne Lorraine Dyher Roby who died January 1, 2015. He was also preceded in death by two infant brothers.

Mr. Roby grew up in Petersburg, WV and graduated from Petersburg High School in 1961 where he played football, basketball and baseball. He graduated from The Huntington Barber College in Huntington, WV and worked in Washington, DC cutting hair for several years. He then held several administrative positions.

He met the love of his life, Diane, and they were married in August 1967 at The Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Virginia. Upon their return from honeymooning in the Poconos, he received his draft orders from the United States Army. He served at Fort Bragg in North Carolina from 1967-1969.

Following his discharge, he continued to work during the day while taking college classes at night. He was able to finish his college education, graduating from George Mason University in 1971 with a B.A. in Business and Public Administration. He also began graduate studies at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He served as Personnel Director at Bank of Virginia 1972-1975 and was President and Co-Owner of Libra Engineering, a government contracting and construction firm and President and Owner of Strandex, an electrical services firm, both in Alexandria, Virginia.

In 1980, he and Diane sought a less hectic lifestyle than the one they led in Northern Virginia. They bought the Hermitage Inn in Petersburg, West Virginia, and moved their young family to Mr. Roby’s hometown. The property had just 17 rooms, a craft shop and three employees at the time, but grew to 37 rooms and a restaurant during their 31-year tenure. During that time, Mr. Roby was also a part-time real estate agent. When he wasn’t playing golf or skiing with his many friends, he kept busy as a member of the Potomac Highlands Travel Council, Grant County Industrial Authority, Grant County Chamber of Commerce, Petersburg Presbyterian Church and Kiwanis.

Mr. Roby and his wife lived in Statesville, North Carolina for 12 years where he worked for Manheim delivering vehicles for auction in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. They later moved to Fredericksburg, Virginia to be closer to their daughter and her family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Diane Strauss Roby, of Fredericksburg, Virginia; one daughter, Candis Roby Wenger (Mark) of Fredericksburg, VA; two grandchildren: Eve Lorraine Wenger and Cameron Jude Wenger; two brothers: Benjamin Grant Roby (Deborah) of Washington Court House, Ohio and Richard S. Roby (Shirley) of Georgetown, Texas, and one sister, Ann Roby Cunningham (Jay) of Bonita Springs, FL; brother-in law: Donald Choate Strauss (Jane) of Statesville, NC; four nephews: Gary Ket Strauss (Ronda), Benjamin Grant Roby (Holly), Geoffrey Ross Cunningham (Karen), and Jason Grant Cunningham (Christy): four nieces: Shayna Strauss (David), Crystal Pope Troutman (Jamie), Erin Roby Buerk (Phillip), and Shannon Roby Gonzalez (Rene). He is also survived by three great-nephews and 6 great-nieces.

According to his wishes, Mr. Roby was cremated. A memorial service will be held in Petersburg in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 10601 Courthouse Road, Suite 200, Fredericksburg, VA 22407.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.