J.R. Roberts grew up in Merced, California. Where his family worked in the fields of the San Joaquin Valley. After graduating from Merced High School in 1974, he accepted a full-ride wrestling scholarship to Oklahoma State University. There he was given the opportunity to complete his education. In 1978 he earned his degree in Biological Sciences. Since 1979, he has been teaching High School Science classes from Owasso, Oklahoma, Broken Arrow, and Tulsa Union. Currently J. R. is teaching in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.