Odis Wayne Robison

Dr. Odis Wayne Robison, 90, of Raleigh, North Carolina passed away peacefully on Monday, December 16, 2024. Odis, or Dr O.W., as many knew him, was born in Comanche County, OK and was the second son of the late Paul Estes Robison and Ruby Isabelle (Oswalt) Robison. O.W. grew up in Oklahoma where he worked on his parents’ farm.

Upon graduating from high school, O.W. attended Cameron State Agricultural College in Lawton Oklahoma earning his associate degree in Animal Science. He then continued his education at Oklahoma State with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Genetics. He went to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin earning his PhD in Animal Science and Genetics. While in Madison, Wisconsin, he met the love of his life, Ruth Ann Knight. They married in November of 1956.

After acquiring his doctorate, he and Ruth moved to Raleigh NC in 1959 where he was a professor of Animal Science and Genetics at NC State University. His research had a significant impact on the livestock industry. One of his major contributions was enhancing animal quality by improving breeding practices which led to the global practice of cross-breeding of boars. He advised agriculture ministries in several foreign countries. Dr. O.W. Robison received the ASAS Breeding award in 1982, was recognized by the NSIF for distinguished service and was a Fullbright scholar in Cyprus in 1990. He retired as Professor Emeritus in 2007, celebrating with family and students with one of his favorite meals, pulled pork.

Family was important to O.W. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grand-children and great grand-children. Sports were also a major interest. As a season ticket holder to Wolfpack football and basketball, he rarely missed a game. He enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren to the games. He was also an avid bowler. His home was full of the many trophies he won in his bowling leagues.

O.W. Robison is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Ruth Ann (Knight) Robison; daughter Debra (Debbie) Sutherland of Palo Alto, California; son Russell Robison and wife Connie of Cary, North Carolina; daughter Carol (CJ) Jaglieo and husband Todd of Columbus Georgia; grandchildren Amanda Arani, Alex Sutherland, Jennifer Sabourin, Christopher Robison, Benjamin Robison and Melody Baker and five great grand-children.

O.W. was preceded in death by his parents, Paul Estes Robison and Ruby Isabelle (Oswalt) Robison and his brother Ervin Robison.

A Visitation will be held on Sunday December 22,2024 from 4-6pm at Brown Wynne Cary, 200 SE Maynard Cary, NC 27540 with a private burial. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association or the N.C. State University Wolfpack Club.