Louis H. Robinson, Sr., was the second oldest child born to Ellie and James Robinson in Columbia, South Carolina. Louis grew up during the late 1940s and 1950s when Blacks were not afforded many opportunities. So, after graduating from Columbia’s C.A. Johnson High School in 1959, he looked to the U.S. Navy for those opportunities. While in the Navy, he earned his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration degrees from the National University in San Diego. After 22 years in the Navy, he retired as a Chief Petty Officer.
Upon retirement, Louis moved from California to Dallas, TX, and worked in the telecommunications industry. He was employed by Nortel Networks, Ericsson, NEC, and Telecom Electric Company for a total of 30 years before retiring again in 2010.
A member of Hamilton Park United Methodist Church since 1989, Louis helped launch a homeless feeding ministry in 1995 where the group faithfully fed monthly hot meals to 400 residents at the Austin Street Shelter near downtown Dallas. He also enjoyed singing with the ‘Mighty’ Crusaders’.
Louis introduced the Coalition of Churches’ Prison Ministry to Hamilton Park Church. Together with the Coalition, every Christmas for 25 years, members of Hamilton Park UMC packed over 8,000 sacks filled with toiletries, fruit, candy, and a Christian message. The Hamilton Park UMC men then took the sacks to incarcerated men in the units of the Texas Prison System. Louis also worked with the church’s food pantry ministry.
When not working in these ministries, Louis was an avid sports fan, especially football. He loved football so much; he was known to say that he would even watch Donald Duck play football with Mickey Mouse! He expanded his sports interest to hockey when his then 10-year-old son, Justin, ‘volunteered’ him to coach a roller hockey team! He knew little about the sport, but Louis was up for the challenge. He learned
about facing challenges when he worked on his grandfather’s farm in South Carolina.
Louis also enjoyed the challenge of helping to start the All Nations United Methodist Fellowship in 2000. He worked hard to build the church for 10 years. When the Church disbanded, Louis and Jackie returned to Hamilton Park UMC.
Louis is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Jackie; his children, Louis Robinson, Jr., Ellecia (Elliott) Williams, Dawn Robinson, and Justin Blalock; five siblings, Margaret R. Carter, Melvin A. (Jennifer) Robinson, Edward W. (Elaine) Robinson, Katherine R. Chatman, and Dr. Annette R. Gibson; goddaughter, Shevohn Floyd; five grandchildren; one aunt, Carol H. Brooks; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
