Obituary of John Warren Robinson, Sr.

John Warren Robinson, Sr was born October 8, 1926 in Mount Calm, Texas. He was the oldest of two siblings. His brother Weldon Harold Robinson preceded him in his journey to the Lord. His mother was Helen Birdiss Rice of Mount Calm, Texas and his father was John Robert Lee Robinson of Plano, Texas. Pa grew up in the depression, his dad was a farmer and his mother a housewife and later educator. He loved his mother completely as she raised him and his brother after his father died when he was a boy. He went to school in Dallas and learned Greek by attending a friend's Greek school. He was self educated and intelligent, wise, and an honorable man. He met Vivian Sylvia Robinson after her sister, Viola Myrtle Robinson, whom he worked with at a bomb plant, introduced them to each other, it was during World War 2. One week later, July 8, 1944 they were married. Grandpa served in the Merchant Marines and did a tour on the MV Brunswick hauling oil from Venezuela to the US. He left the Merchant Marines after a rather humorous story as he was on German Uboat lookout duty in a single gun merchant vessel. As he stated he had to sleep on deck, it was hot and muggy and looking for German subs in the vast ocean was something less than desirable. He told the story that during part of the voyage that he was playing cards with a big Jamaican who accused him of cheating and pulled a knife on him. Pa was a big man but a gentle giant. In fact it was his younger brother Weldon who was the feisty pup and fighter. Grandpa entered the US Army in 1945 near the end to the war. He was a Staff Sergeant in supply. He and Granny had their first child Robert W. Robinson during his service. He was discharged in 1946, He had several jobs after the US Army to provide for his growing family which included his beloved daughter, Gloria Lynne Stinson, whom he referred to as his little girl and the youngest, John Warren Robinson, Jr. It was 1950 and He went to work for Greyhound bus lines. He worked for Greyhound for 36 years, retiring in 1986. In 1972 he became a Deacon in the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Arlington,Texas. He and Granny adopted John William Weeks Robinson October 8, 1979. He and Granny (Biddy as he called Vivian) raised 2 generations and helped many others. He loved the Lord and lived by His example. He and the family lived in Arlington and Houston Area when he was a Greyhound District Supervisor, then Abilene were he went back to driving and finally in Granbury, Texas were he and Granny settled down. He and Granny moved to Pittsburg, Texas then later he lived in Paris, Texas and finally in Rockwall,Texas. His kindness and generosity were evident when he took in Granny’s sister, Viola, as she retired and Minnie and John, Granny’s Aunt and Uncle. He was active in woodworking and construction. He built many home projects including decks and garages while doing most all his own repairs. He had a shop where he would spend countless hours piddling on various different wood working projects. He was in his 70’s when he fixed up a home for John William Weeks Robinson and his wife Galina. He was a member of the American Legion, Sons of American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans, and American Merchant Marine Veterans. He loved history especially the Civil War and the American Revolution. He was active in volunteering for historical tours of Granbury during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He liked to research genealogy and took a road trip across the southeastern United States with Vivian and Viola to research the family history stopping at battlefields and cemeteries and located a long list of relatives. He raised 2 generations of children and helped many others. He loved the Lord, his family, and his country. He joined the Lord and was reunited with Granny and family on October 28, 2015. He is survived by his children: Robert W. Robinson and his wife Doloris of Mt. Vernon, Texas, John W. "Bud" Robinson and his wife Sherron of Atlanta, Texas, Gloria Lynn Stinson and her husband David of Kennedale, Texas and John W.W. Robinson and his wife Galina of Heath, Texas; 7 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and 5 great great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents: John Robert Lee Robinson and Helen Birdis Rice Robinson, wife: Vivian Sylvia Robinson, and 1 brother. Graveside Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 30, 2015 at Macedonia Cemetery in Pittsburg, Texas