Roy L. Robinson
1928-2013
Rock Port, Missouri

Roy L. Robinson, the son of Milford “Dode” and Atta Mae (Holmes) Robinson, was born February 26, 1928 in rural Putnam County, Missouri. In 1935, the Robinson family moved to a farm five miles south of Unionville, Missouri. Roy attended the Unionville Schools and in 1942 the family moved to Peculiar, Missouri, where Roy graduated in 1945 at the age of 17. Immediately following graduation, Roy enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed near Memphis, Tennessee for basic training. He was transferred to the Great Lakes Naval Base and to Oakland, California, where he helped process the outgoing veterans. Roy returned to Kansas City, Missouri, and worked at Vendo Manufacturing Plant, who hired him mostly to play basketball on their semi-pro team. In 1948, he returned to Unionville to help his father in construction.

In July of 1949, he was united in marriage to Lila Lou Henson. Three children were born to this union; David, Janette and Robert. In 1952, Roy joined the Missouri State Highway Patrol, an organization he proudly served for 32 years. He was stationed in Kirksville, Missouri for three years, and then moved to Moberly, Missouri where he served until he retired at the rank of Sargent in 1984. In 2000, Roy and Lila moved to Rock Port, Missouri to be near two of their children. Lila passed away May 12, 2008. Roy passed away Thursday, March 07, 2013, at Community Hospital- Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri at the age of 85.

The facts about a man are written above, but Roy was a loving husband. He and Lila were a “real” team. She being his moral support during his career and he was her strength as her health failed. The facts don’t tell what a good father he was. His career choice made for long hours, but whenever his kids were in an activity, he could be counted on to be in the stands, many times, in uniform. He was the disciplinarian, the dreaded words, “Wait till your father gets home,” were taken very seriously. Usually the worst part of any punishment was knowing that he was disappointed. When Roy snapped his fingers, everyone knew he meant business. Roy was a proud grandparent whom loved his grandchildren greatly. He once told Lila that he didn’t know how to be a good grandfather, he never had an example to follow. But if they are asked, they will say, they think he was one of the best. The majority of them learned to hunt and or fish at the farm, and some learned to drive in the pasture in his old beater truck he kept for that very reason. He loved to watch their activities, and they knew they could count on him. The facts also don’t tell what a loving son he was to Dode and Atta, and a brother to Max and Colleen. They too knew he could be depended on at any time. The facts also lack in telling of his gardening skills. He once said he saw God in the garden. It provided him peace and he found joy in sharing his bounty. The facts also don’t tell how much he will be missed by those who loved him and knew him as Dad, Grandpa, neighbor and friend.

Besides his parents, Roy is preceded in death by his wife, Lila, son, David, brother, Max Robinson, sister, Colleen Braden, and one infant sister. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law, Janette and Garrett Smith, Rock Port; son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Terrie Robinson, Muldrow, Oklahoma; daughter-in-law, Norena Robinson, Rock Port; nine grandchildren, Jon Robinson, Heather Robinson, Halley Hunter and husband, Jay; Brent Dahlin, Wade Smith and wife, Ashley; Kalen Smith and wife, Celinda; Ellie Schulz and husband, Brian; Lauren Surkamer, Luke Robinson and wife, Jen; twelve great-grandchildren, Katie Robinson, Sadie, Zeke and Silas Shulz, Jack and Lincoln Surkamer, Luca and Lilyila Smith, Rylan Hunter, Peyton and Emma Dunworth, Keenan Robinson and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Service: 2:00 P.M., Sunday, March 10, 2013, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.
A private family inurnment will be held at Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, Missouri, at a later date.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service at Minter Funeral Chapel, from 3:00-4:00 P.M.
Memorials: Community Track Fund of Rock Port School or Rock Port Nutrition Center.
Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com
Services: Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.