Obituary of John Lewis Robinson

John Lewis Robinson, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, and uncle passed away on Tuesday, September 10 at the age of 92 after a long battle with lung disease.  He loved the Lord, and he loved his family and friends.  He never tired of helping others or of learning. 

John was born July 5, 1932 at the family cabin outside of Hillsborough, NC to George Louis and Hester Hursey Robinson.  He had three older sisters and a younger half-sister.  He also had a special bond with his Uncle Ernest and Aunt Allie Mae Robinson and their children J.W., Clifton, and Betty as he spent much time at their home and always felt welcomed and loved.  His family moved to Burlington when he was in elementary school. 

As a boy he held several jobs.  He pushed a dope wagon (wagon where employees could buy snacks, sodas, and aspirin) through the textile mills in downtown Burlington.  He also laid bricks as a summer job.  Many of the buildings he worked on are still standing in the downtown Burlington area.  As a teenager, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he was part of the 441^st Anti-Aircraft Battalion.  He accredits those years for helping him “grow up” and become a successful man.  He learned self-discipline, to work hard, care for others, and how to train others.

Once out of the army, he married and went to work at Western Electric in Burlington.  He and several other former servicemen working there approached Alamance Industrial Education Center (Alamance Community College) about the need for an engineering program.  The school started the first tool design class/degree in the State.  It was the first program to receive diplomas rather than certificates, and John was a graduating member of the first class.  He went on to use those skills for a long and successful career in manufacturing in North Carolina.  He worked in Burlington, Oxford, Newton, Lexington, Hickory, and Old Fort where he retired from Coats America.  He lived in Hickory, NC for much of his working years.  Most of his work was in plastic injection molding with a stint at the Hickory Springs Foam Plant.  He was an exceptional manager understanding the people, the process, customers, and how to repair the equipment.  If a machine couldn’t do what was needed, he could design a machine that would.  After retirement from Coats America, he and Joe Grant, a former colleague and friend, started their own company, Manufacturing Solutions, Inc. to train managers and supervisors and help their companies become profitable.  They helped clients across the U.S. and internationally. 

He was the father of four children and supported them throughout their lives.  He was also an amazing fixer of all things mechanical.  His family was spoiled and never had to take a vehicle to a shop for repair or call a home repairman.  He could figure out how to fix almost anything.  The internet opened up a whole new world for him, and he spent a lot of time the past few years watching “how to” videos. 

John loved his cars and could tell you about each vehicle he ever owned.  His first vehicle was a 1948 Chevrolet that he bought while in the service.  He was one of the first vehicles on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1951 while on leave.  After retiring, he found a 1948 and a 1954 Chevy like his first and second cars and delighted in restoring them. 

He also loved making things.  He was extremely smart and creative.  Given a table saw for Christmas after his retirement, he started making wooden toys for his grandchildren and friends across the U.S.  For the next 40 years, he delighted in hearing how those toys were enjoyed by the recipients and the next generation.  His great-grandchildren are now enjoying many of those toys.

The age of computers brought new joys to John’s life.  He embraced the new technology and was still learning at the age of 92.  He used his first computer to search for the men of his U.S. Army battalion.  He mailed letters to addresses he found and was able to find all but a few of the members.  He planned and hosted several reunions which remained one of his life’s greatest joys.  He treasured those friendships and spoke of them often. 

In the 1990s he returned to Burlington, living close to his sisters in the area and family in Hillsborough.  He was a substitute teacher in Alamance County schools.  He moved to the Oak Creek Retirement Community where his wit and creativity shined.  He made many friends and celebrated their lives by creating personalized cards for their birthdays and major life events.  He welcomed new arrivals and helped each resident in any way he could.  He continued that love of helping others at the Preston Pointe Independent Living in Wake County where he moved to be closer to family.

He was a member of Lambs Chapel in Haw River for many years and treasured friends he made there. 

John always had a smile, a joke and an encouraging word for those he met, and he will be missed by many.  He was a loyal friend who loved deeply.  He was a caring father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle who prayed daily for his family and friends.  He loved with his whole heart.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George Robinson and Hester Hursey Robinson House; son, John Michael Robinson; and sisters Virginia Hall McKinney, Dorothy (Dot) Lineberry Caldwell, and Peggy Mitchell.  He is survived by his daughters, Deborah Robinson, Patty Stump (Ted), and Pam Cook (Steve); grandchildren Jay Carlin, Elisabeth Stump Perry, TJ Stump, Andrew Cook, and Daniel Cook Newman; and great grandchildren Norah Cook, Addy Stump, and Tirzah Perry.  He had hoped to live long enough to meet all his great-grandchildren as he took a special delight in this new generation.  But he will love them from above.  He is also survived by his niece, Jeanette Hall Martin (Jan) and nephew, Neal Hall.  Having lived next door to his sister Virginia when Jan and Neal were young, he had a special bond with them that continued his entire life.  

In lieu of flowers, John requested that memorial gifts be made to your church, St. Jude’s Children Hospital, or the Salvation Army. 

A service will be held at Walker Funeral Home in Hillsborough, NC on Saturday, September 21 at 12:30 pm.  A lunch for family will follow at Hillsborough United Methodist Church in the Church Office building.