JAMES C. “JIM” ROBINSON,

JR., of Little Rock, died suddenly December 2, 2020, at 91 years of age. He was the son of James C. Robinson, Sr. and Ella “Billie” Robinson. He graduated from Little Rock Senior High in 1947 and went to Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., to study Mechanical Engineering. There he was initiated into Sigma Chi fraternity. In 1949, he transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and graduated cum laude with a BSBA in 1951. While there he was initiated into Beta Gamma Sigma and Alpha Kappa Psi honor societies. By completing advanced ROTC, he graduated as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force. He was called into active duty at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, and was there for two years. He stayed in the Reserve and retired as a Major in the Air Force. On February 23, 1952, he married Elizabeth Ann Jones of Little Rock and they were married for 48 years until her passing in 2000.

After leaving active duty, he worked for his father at Robinson Lumber Company. Jim founded Robinson Paint Supply Company, a paint and wallpaper distributor, and was active in that business for 43 years. He served on the Board of the National Decorating Products Association and founded a national paint sundries buying group that numbered over 200 members nationwide. He also served as President of the Producers Council, which was an adjunct to the Architectural and Construction Industries. Due to his wife’s long bout with rheumatoid arthritis, he served on the Board and as chapter president of the Arthritis Foundation. He went on to serve on the National Board, and was a founding member of its Patient Services Committee. Jim enjoyed traveling and played racquetball until this spring. Jim was a Vestryman and Junior Warden at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, later Senior Warden and Vestryman at St Thomas Reformed Episcopal Church, and most recently participated as an active member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Jim is survived by his two sons, James C. “Rob” Robinson, III (Jean) and Lee H. Robinson (Dotty), four grandchildren, Laura Cummings, Michael Robinson, Trevor Robinson, and Phillip Robinson. Jim is survived by six great-grandchildren, Norah Robinson, Bruce Robinson, Carter Cummings, Jane Cummings, Lena Robinson, and Noah Robinson and three nieces. Jim is also survived by his best friend, Marilyn Hall. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his sister, Beverley Murphy.

Jim will be remembered by his admiring family and many friends for his innate kindness, devotion to family and boundless generosity. Due to the pandemic, a private graveside service will be conducted by Ruebel Funeral Home. In Jim’s memory, donations may be given to the charity of your choice or to Presbyterian Village, 510 N. Brookside Drive, Little Rock, Ark., 72205. Please sign the online condolence book at RuebelFuneralHome.com