JOHN ROBERT ROBINSON, JR.
1939-2017
John Robert Robinson, Jr. was born in Houston, Texas, on September 15, 1939. He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth Robinson Hensley, and his two grandsons, Tripp Hensley and Jackson Hensley, his long time friend and companion, Susan O’Brien, his sister and her husband, Pam and Harold Dorsey, and his nieces, Julie Pauling and Anna Bodnar. He is also survived by his brother and his wife, Gary and Nancy Manuel, and his nephews, Kyle Manuel and David Manuel.
He graduated from Sam Houston High School in 1957, then went on to college at Lon Morris in Jacksonville, Texas. After graduating from Lon Morris, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1961 and proudly served his country, attending boot camp at Camp Pendleton and then assigned to Camp Schwab in Okinawa, Japan. He traveled to Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Vietnam during training missions. The lessons learned as a Marine were evident during his life. After being honorably discharged as a Corporal, First Class, John attended Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, Texas. He was an active member of Phi Mu Alpha-Sinfonia and Alpha Psi Omega. John graduated with a degree in Music Education He became the band director at Klein Intermediate School in January 1967 and then took a position as one of the band directors at Klein High School. He loved being a part of the Klein HS Bearkat Band and working with many students over the years. John earned his Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Sam Houston State University in 1983. He was a member of the Texas Music Educators Association and was the stage manager for their annual convention in San Antonio from 1978-2003. John was also a member of the Klein Education Association and the Texas State Teachers Association. He retired with 41 ½ years of service in public education.
While still working as an educator, John drove a bus for Grayline in Houston. As a native Texan and Houstonian, he had a great love and knowledge of our beloved city and was a member of the Houston’s Tour Guide Association. He gave City Tours and NASA tours, plus traveling with various groups around the country. He loved meeting and talking with new people.
After retirement, John became a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas. He made many friends in the Candlelighter’s Class and Tuesday Friends. He also enjoyed cultural events such as attending A.D. Players and the Houston Symphony. He loved to travel and took many wonderful trips, including a tour across the Canadian Rockies by train. John always looked forward to beginning a new adventure.
John bravely fought brain cancer the last few months of his life. He went to be with the Lord on December 30, 2017. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., located at Klein Funeral Home, 16131 Champions Forest Dr., Klein, Texas, 77379. His service will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. located at 5501 Main Street, Houston, Texas, 77004. Interment will follow at the Houston National Cemetery at 2:15 p.m., located at 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, Texas. 77038. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the St. Paul’s UMC Music Ministry, in memory of John R. Robinson, Jr.