John Bruce Roberts, of Oxford, Georgia, Veteran, Truck Driver, Pawn Broker, Husband, Father, and Grandfather has officially cashed in his chips.

Born in Tacoma, Washington, John was a bit of a wild man and a certified troublemaker in his youth, a trait that gave him a lifetime supply of legendary stories. Before he was a fixture of the highway or the local pawn shop, he channeled that untamable energy into proudly serving his country. During the Vietnam War, he was a boiler technician in the US Navy aboard the USS Constellation. After his service, he spent his early years tearing up the asphalt as a truck driver under the CB handle "Bottlecap."

He eventually traded the open road for the counter of his pawn shop, where he spent decades establishing a reputation for his generosity and tales of close calls, misadventures, and fast living. To his community and loyal customers, he was affectionately known simply as "Pawn Shop John," while close friends knew him as "John Boy" or "Johnny Bruce." Regardless of the name, John was a pawnbroker with a golden heart—his main motivation was always to help the person standing across the counter from him, caring far more about lending a hand than making the highest profit.

John was a man of simple, yet thoroughly enjoyed, pleasures. He believed a day without a Benchmark cocktail, a good smoke, a seat at the blackjack table, or a few pulls on the slots at Glenda's was a day wasted. He lived for writing a good loan, playing Keno at the bar, a day at the pool with his family, loving his friends and his animals, and telling wild stories that were (mostly) true—all with a twinkle in his eye and a smoke in his hand.

He leaves behind a legacy of generosity, a successful pawn shop full of dusty memorabilia and gifts from all walks of life, and a family who will deeply miss his unfiltered advice and massive heart. John is survived by his beloved wife, Pam, and his daughters, Ann and Jennifer (Tony), his stepchildren Jennifer and Andrew (Jessica), 8 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, his sister Stephanie (Gary), 1 niece, 1 nephew, 3 great-nephews and 1 great-niece who will cherish the many colorful memories he left behind. He is preceded in death by his parents Donald Ray Roberts, Margaret Knorr Roberts, and John Southard, a menagerie of pets, good buddies, and a lot of good times.

We like to think John, John Boy, or Pawn Shop John, depending on where you met him—is currently sitting at a Blackjack Table in the sky, sipping a cocktail, puffing away without a care, and beating the dealer on every single hand.

Service Details

Family and friends are invited to celebrate John's life on September 27, 2026 at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home in Covington, Georgia.

• Viewing: 2:00 PM

• Memorial Service: 3:00 PM

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John's memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation or your local Humane Society.