John Henry Robinson, 84, died unexpectedly in Olive Branch, Mississippi on March 14, 2022, at Baptist Memorial Hospital. He was born November 25, 1937, in Eudora, Arkansas, the son of John Hardy Robinson and Viola Moore Robinson.
At birth, John’s father denied him, and this ultimately grew John’s love and appreciation for his Heavenly Father. John knew at a young age that he would serve God and had such great faith until the end of his life. He was taught the truth about what one must to do to be saved by his sister, Mildred and unbeknownst to him, his future mother-in-law, Lily Chandler. John’s passion for God grew fervently and everyone who knew him knew of his zeal for God.
John graduated from Edison High School in Fresno, California. Being admitted into the U.S Air Force at 16 years of age, John knew to keep his mouth shut to avoid sounding like a child. He served in the military in Spain for 5 years. While in Europe, he became fluent in Spanish and played basketball with his close friend, Juan Carlos, former king of Spain. John had no intention of returning to America until the invention of the mini skirt. After returning home, he married his first wife, Barbara Chandler Robinson and moved to San Francisco, California. John became a correctional officer at Alcatraz – a federal prison for the most dangerous criminals - and lived on the premises during his first year of employment. After a sole altercation with several inmates, he received the respect and nickname “Superman” amongst the prisoners. John and Barbara relocated to Fresno, California after having two children, Michael Todd Robinson, and Stacey Paige Robinson Mohair. John was a man of many trades – he was active in his community. Later in life, he became the Founder and CEO of a nonprofit organization called Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Fresno, California to provide job opportunities for the youth in the community. This organization successfully reduced the city crime rate 25% year over year. John authored, “The Pride of Prejudice”, an autobiography, and “Alcatraz: A Black Man’s Testimony” which tells of his life while living and working at Alcatraz. With his natural entrepreneurship mind, John went back to college to be certified to file taxes and help his friends and family with their accounting needs. John was a man who took in strangers, gave to the less fortunate, and spent his entire life in service to others. An accomplishment close to his heart was adopting a daughter, Chandra Webster.
At 69 years old, John and Barbara relocated to Olive Branch, Mississippi to be closer to their grandchildren. John and Barbara celebrated 56 years together before Barbara’s death in 2016. In 2018, God sent another amazing woman, Fregenia Moore, who loved and cherished John despite his health conditions for 4 wonderful years. Fregenia and John’s love for each other ignited John’s spark for life and their future together. John loved his new family like his own. There was always love, life, and laughter in their home together with their children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents (John Hardy Robinson and Viola Moore Robinson), he was predeceased by his sister (Mildred Robinson Greene), brother (Joe Robinson), father-in- laws (Roy Chandler and Jimmie N. Ray), and mother-in-law (Lillie Chandler).
John leaves to mourn him in his passing: Fregenia Moore Robinson, a beloved wife of 4 years; son, Michael of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughters, Stacey (Brent) of Lakeland, Tennessee; Chandra of Long Beach, California; Jadya of Memphis, Tennessee and Kaiya of Memphis, Tennessee; 13 precious grandchildren, Nathaniel, Tyfannie, Sierra, Alaura, Bianca, Jeff, Amanda, Shaun, A’riyah, Kionna, Colton, Kaidin and Connor. Mother-in-law, Mary and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, sister and brother in laws, cousins, and friends.
A memorial service for John will be held Saturday, March 26, 2022 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119, followed by a visitation from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at the funeral home.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralPoplar.com for the Robinson family.
