Former Judge of Walker County Frank Robinson prayerfully retired from this life on June 18, 2015. Born on August 22, 1916 on the old Jones tobacco farm in Walker County he moved to Pine Prairie at age three months when his family purchased a farm on Jenkins Rd. The son of truck farmers and a survivor of the great depression, Robinson never forgot those who helped him to survive as he quietly aided others in need throughout his life.

Robinson began his career with Gulf States Utilities (now Entergy Corp.) in 1939 delivering ice to Huntsville "ice boxes." He followed a career path which took him to Cleveland, TX, eventually leading to jobs as a lineman, repairman and commercial equipment salesman. In 1962 Robinson was promoted to manager of the Woodville GSU office and the Woodville-Corrigan territory. He was transferred to Huntsville in 1965 where he served as District Supt. until his retirement from Gulf States in 1981. Upon his retirement he enjoyed ranching at his Diamond 4 Ranch, helping found The First American Bank of Huntsville, serving as County Judge for two terms and being a top real estate sales person for Homes of Huntsville. As County Judge he received The Texas Road Handlers Award. Two years ago Robinson retired from one of his most beloved jobs of seventy years, that of donning a red suit and passing out candy from a sleigh at parades as well as several other functions.

In his youth Robinson was a student at the Sam Houston State Teachers College Demonstration School which was a teaching lab for college students. He also attended, and proudly displayed, his diplomas from Pine Prairie Schools. He is a 1955 graduate of SHSTC, taking twenty years of night school classes to obtain his degree in sociology. In 1994 he received an Outstanding Alumni Award. Throughout the years Robinson took great pride in his university. Old and cherished friendships included SHSU leaders Harmon Lowman, Elliot Bowers, Coy Perkins and Ferol Robinson. Known for his humor as an after-dinner speaker, Robinson was recently overheard trying to negotiate with SHSU President Dana Hoyt to award him a P.H.D. based upon his gift for gab.

Robinson was proud of his hometown and encouraged its growth. He believed in being an active part of the community wherever you live. He belonged to many civic organizations and held leadership positions. In 2007 he was runner-up for the Outstanding Citizen Award.

A devout Christian, Robinson enjoyed traveling throughout the United States leading Lay Witness Missions. He taught Sunday school classes at the First Methodist Church and to TDC inmates, providing them with Bibles. In 1955 he was named Outstanding Texas Layman. Robinson also served on the Board of Trustees at Lon Morris College. He never tired or declined any opportunity to share his faith. He was thankful for the friends and blessings he received in his life. May he be remembered with love and laughter. He lived a good life and prayed daily to enter a more perfect one.

Robinson is preceded in death by his wife Virginia Louise and his son-in-law Chaplain William Pittman. He is survived by his sister Letha Robison, son Frank Robinson, Jr.(wife Sharon), daughters Polly Pittman and Nancy Grossenbacher (husband Richard}. Robinson has five grand-children and six great grand-children all of whom shared a loving relationship with their grandfather, each bringing him great pride and joy.

The family requests that in honor of Judge Robinson a visitation be made to the sick or confined to share your joy.

Judge Frank Robinson will lie in state from 8:00 AM till 7:30 PM on Monday, June 22, 2015 at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Texas. Interment will follow the service at Brooke Cemetery in Huntsville, Texas.

Memorial condolences may be made to the family at the link below.