After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, James Lee
Robinson departed this life on December 6, 2021, in his home surrounded
by all his family.
Jim was born on July 23, 1940, to Elmer and Bessie (Brittain) Robinson
in North Platte, Nebraska. At the age of 7, his family moved to the
family farm at Box Elder Canyon south of Maxwell, Nebraska. With the
exception of a few short years, Jim would spend the rest of his life at
his beloved home and ranch.
Jim attended country school a mile from his home through the 8th grade.
His mother was his teacher. He graduated from North Platte High School
at the age of 16. After graduation, he joined the Army Reserves. He got
a job at the Union Pacific Railroad but was bumped before his first day
on the job. He wasn't putting up with that BS and quit before he started.
He married for the first time in the early 1960s and to this union, two
children were born, Robert and LeeAnn. After a variety of odd jobs
(including hauling furniture and raising cane with his friends), Jim
landed at the Department of Transportation where he worked for 19 years before taking early retirement. At this time, he returned to his first
two loves, ranching and BS'ing with the neighbors.
In 1981, Jim married his wife, Gloria Yohe, at the family home in
Maxwell. Upon marriage, three more children were added to the family,
Randy, Raquel, and Russell.
Jim enjoyed a variety of hobbies throughout his lifetime. In his younger
days, he and his best friend Larry got into as much trouble as possible
and were at one point chased out of Stapleton by the county sheriff. He
loved dancing and music. He played the accordion as a young child and
even had his own 15 minutes of fame on the radio. He was also known for
having short conversations with his children and spouses, that
eventually became valued life lessons. For many years, he traveled the
country in his camper trailer making the PBR and Rodeo Circuits. Once he
was too old for those endeavors, he took up bluegrass music and followed
his favorite bands.
For thirteen years, Jim was the co-owner of Red Roof Antiques. He was a
member of the Excel Camping Club and worked for years as an officer and member of the North Platte Country Bluegrass Festival. He loved all
animals and enjoyed taking care of them. His favorite color was John
Deere Green. This was evident in his collection of antique tractors,
both real and toys.
Jim loved every November when deer season came around. He would have the coffee brewing before sun up and loved sharing past hunting stories. He was the family hunting guide, who always spotted the big ones, and jokingly harassed the guys for not seeing them. In his last days he could not go on the hunt but loved to hear the stories and tell the guys
about the big buck right in the front yard.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother DeLoyce and
sister-in-law Kay Robinson; and his mother and father-in-law, one
brother-in-law, and two sisters-in-law.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria; his children: Robert Robinson of
Maxwell, LeeAnn (Tim) Nielsen of North Platte, Randy Wright of Laurel,
MD, Raquel (David) Jurjens of Maxwell, Russell (Heather) Wright of North Platte; his grandchildren: Chasity (Michael), Derek (Beth), Ben
(Carrie), Kristen (Robert), Michaela, Brienne (Brooke), Noah, Abigail,
Levi, McKenzie Jo, Kaley and Khloe; two foster granddaughters: Melissa
and Sara; eight great-grandchildren; his beloved fur-babies: Jake and
Charlie Ann; nephew, Randy (Sharon) Fry; niece Deanna (Russ) Hoatson;
his lifelong best friend, Larry (Carole) Vencill; his favorite
ranching/BS'ing buddy Delmar (Angie) Kesterson Jr.; and many
cousins and other friends.
Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 9,
2021, at Odean Colonial Chapel. Inurnment will follow in the Plainview
Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or prior to the service at Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore, which is in
charge of arrangements.