John Lee Robinson was born on December 14, 1938, in Dallas, Texas, to Earl and Anna Robinson. John was the second oldest boy of 7 siblings. John accepted Christ at an early age at Salem Baptist Church in Dallas, TX, and was a faithful servant of the Lord throughout his life, transferring his membership to Warren United Methodist Church in the 1980s and finally to Camp Wisdom United Methodist Church in 2015.
John received his formal education at Lincoln High School in Dallas, TX, and attended the business management certificate program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX.
John met the love of his life Rodest Marie (Smith) Robinson, at Paul’s Restaurant in Dallas, TX, whom he affectionately named “Shorty.” John and Shorty were married on August 20, 1966, and were together for 68 years. Three children, Joyce Marie Joseph, Lynda Joyce Smith, and Frederick Euguene McMillian, were nurtured, cherished, and raised in their blended family; one angel baby is remembered and cherished.
John, affectionately known as “Big John,” will be remembered as a man of integrity, a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, and teacher to many. John was gifted with numbers and business acumen. “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to Search out a matter” Proverbs 25:2. John searched out matters, educating himself, and was no stranger to the library, immersing himself in the study of various subject matters from business to state and local laws. John was sharp, educated, and astute. Big John was a supervisor for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Dallas, TX, for 47 years and was loved, well-liked, and respected by many.
John could crack a joke and was a comedian at heart. John was fun and the life of the party, winning several steak-eating competitions. John and Shorty traveled and enjoyed life together.
On December 9, 2022, John went home to be with our Lord Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents: Earl Robinson and Anna Saniferd Robinson; his children: one angel baby, and Lynda Joyce Smith. Three siblings: Earl Robinson, Charlie Roy Robinson, and Sade Taylor.
John leaves to cherish precious memories, his loving and devoted wife, Shorty, Rodest Marie Robinson; one daughter, Joyce Marie Joseph (Johnny, Sr.), and one son, Frederick McMillan (Angela); seven grandchildren, Johnny Joseph Jr. (Latitser), Chasity Joseph, Zandra L. Robinson, Ashley D. Smith, Monica Bivins, Frederick McMillian, Jr., and Brandon McMillian (Rachel); three sisters, Joyce Feggett (Harace), Vera Jones and Esther McClendon; two god-children, Rodest Marie Polk and John Nealy; one caregiver, Deloris Williams, who we express our sincerest gratitude to for the faithful care and service she provided to John; Wilentz Horn, who was like a son to John and Shorty, and John’s personal chauffeur throughout the years; and a multitude of great-grandchildren, his quiver was full, and his legacy will surely live on.
