John Robinson

John W. Robinson Jr. was born October 30, 1927 in Memphis, Tennessee to John W. Robinson Sr. and Mattie Robinson. He passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at Heartland Healthcare Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan at the age of 87 years.
John attended schools in Memphis, Tennessee, graduating from Booker T. Washington High School. It was in Memphis where he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior, later to join Tabernacle Baptist Church in Saginaw, Michigan then Messiah Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Otis Washington. In Memphis, John held several odd jobs but when he heard about a job in Michigan with General Motors (GM), he set his sights on a better living. In 1953, he left the south behind and headed for Saginaw. He left Memphis with the intent of staying gone long enough to save money to pay for his 1947 Desoto Convertible and his return to Memphis. That trip lasted over 60 years. He arrived in Saginaw on a Sunday and began working on that Monday. John was a faithful employee of GM Malleable Iron for over 53 years. He once walked 6 miles to get to work. He retired from GM in 2006. During this time, he was honored with a certificate for 100% presence for never missing a day of work. John enjoyed a very long, fulfilling and prosperous career with GM and he was very proud of his work.
While in Saginaw, John met and married Lucille A Foster. Together they raised seven wonderful children which included a very dear and loving brother-in-law, Glen (Bobby) Edward Foster and precious sister-in-law, Marilyn Hill both of whom he raised as his own. John lived a very full life and accomplished many things that other men merely dream of. At the age of 31, he received his pilots certificate to fly an airplane. The vehicle of choice was a J-3 Piper Cub and a 150 Sessna. It was due to a heart attack in the late 60s that his airtime was restricted. That did not stop him. He then took his adventures on land and seas as an avid traveler touring such places as Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Austria, Paris, Alaska, Malta, and Italy, just to name a very few. John was a great skier, equestrian, swimmer, and he loved to dance and listen to music. He especially loved listening to the Blues and country-western music. He was affectionately referred to by many as the "black John Wayne" as you always saw him in his western attire, cowboy hats and boots. He also took Spanish lessons and learned to play the guitar. John spent a great deal of his time hunting, camping and fishing and spending time with his boys and nephews introducing them to the outdoors and the simple pleasures of life. When he was not working, you could find him enjoying some of these sports. He taught many how to enjoy nature and how to become a man/an adult.
Mr. Robinson was a true family man who enjoyed sharing his time with those he loved. John was a very proud man and much respected among his friends and family. To many, he was a man to be admired and emulated. To many young men, a hero, and to many a father figure as he taught so many life lessons to anyone willing to pay attention to what he had to say and teach. He taught his family to work hard, be responsible, and be self-sufficient and to take care of ourselves. Most importantly, he taught us to seek knowledge and take responsibility for your own life and destiny. It is his teaching that made us who we are today. He was loved, respected and admired for his work ethic, kindness and exquisite sense of humor. Today, we lay to rest a great man. One of Gods finest.
John was predeceased by his wife, Lucille Robinson; parents, John Sr., and Mattie Robinson; son, Burnell W. Robinson; daughter, Angela Byas; brothers, James Edward Robinson, and G.P. Smith; sisters, Elizabeth Carter and Ruby Wardlow.
He leaves in love, sons, Howard (Debbie) Robinson, LaRonn Robinson (Carrie), Bruce (Toronal) Robinson; daughters, Sabrina Sullivan and Weslier Lee (Bill) Moorhouse; brother-in-law, Bobby Foster and sister-in-law, Marilyn (Howard) Hill; grandchildren, Tianisha (Anthony) Dixon, Brandi (Demitrius) Walker, Shalian Simmons, Mattie Williams, Shana Byas, Tasha Allen, LaRonn Robinson, Jr., Deanna Moorhouse, Elizabeth Moorhouse, Tarik Robinson, Brandi Robinson, Bruce Robinson, Jr and Khara Robinson; many great grandchildren; he also leaves to treasure his loving memory, a wonderful friend and partner, Mary Roberts and her family, especially her son, Charles; brother, Morgan (Charlene) Robinson; sister, Hattie Brown; brother/nephew, Vernon (Cathy) Williams; other nieces and nephews including very special nephews, Ricky Foster, Gregory Foster and Gary Brown; special son-in-law, Eddie (Sandra) Byas; special brother-in-law, Larry (Patricia) Foster; very special friend and adopted son, Billy Wiley, and goddaughter, Marline Jackson ; many other family and friends.
Special thanks to Best Private Duty Health Care; Rachel Maya, Anna Gulledge, and Troy Colegrove for their outstanding care and devotion to our fathers healthcare and overall wellbeing during his time in Belleville. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Also to Pamela Pria Walls for always being there to step in whenever needed and doing whatever it took to care for him. Your friendship and kindness will never be forgotten. I love you all and appreciate everything you did to make his last days warm, loving and comfortable. I couldnt have asked for a better support team.
Visitation: Saturday, March 7, 2015 - 9:00 a.m. until time of service.
Family Hour 10:30 a.m.
Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
2615 Williamson Road
Saginaw, Michigan
989-777-2636
Celebration of Life: Saturday, March 7, 2015 - 11:30 a.m.
Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
2615 Williamson Road
Saginaw, Michigan
989-777-2636
Officiating: Pastor Otis Washington
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery