Richard Don Robinson

Richard Don Robinson, 75, passed away Monday, January 15, 2024.

A celebration of his life will be held at 2 pm on Friday, January 19, 2024, at First Baptist Church of Panhandle.  In lieu of flowers his memory may be honored with a gift to the Panhandle Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 129, Panhandle, Texas, 79068 or to Brayden’s Gift, PO Box 51182, Amarillo, Texas, 79159.

Richard was born February 16, 1948, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo to L.C. Robinson and Vera Lusk Robinson. Richard attended school at Trinity Lutheran School in Amarillo and Canyon Schools before graduating from Panhandle Schools.  After graduation Richard farmed west of Panhandle and traveled around the country on wheat harvest.    He married the love of his life, Mary Wade, on July 27, 1974, in Panhandle.  In 1979 he and Mary drove a Steiger Tractor from Panhandle to Washington D.C. in the American Agriculture Movement Tractorcade where he joined farmers from across the nation protesting on the National Mall in Washington D.C.   In Panhandle Richard served as the Fire Marshall and was a long time Fire Chief for Panhandle Volunteer Department.  He taught Agri-Rescue at Texas Municipal Fire School and classes at multiple area fire departments while working for the Texas Forest Service. Richard was an EMT for Panhandle Ambulance Service.  He had a passion for firefighting and mentored many future firefighters to the profession.  He considered educating Panhandle school children on fire safety one of his top priorities and took great care in implementing school programing in the Elementary school including fire prevention week.  He found joy in the kids riding on the fire truck during the 4^th of July Celebration and started the Water Polo tradition for the area kids. Richard went to work in 1995 as a correctional officer at the Clements Unit in Amarillo.  Making lifelong friends with his fellow co-workers.   Richard embodied the servant’s heart persona, always taking pride in helping others, he truly had a love for his fellow man.  He loved spending time with his Grandchildren, telling a good story, supporting the Texas A&M Aggies, gardening, recounting his family’s history, and aggravating his loved ones.  Nothing brought more joy to his life than his grandchildren, he was so very proud of them.

He is preceded in death by his father, L.C. Robinson and wife Gladys; mother, Vera Crowell and husband Raymond; and brothers, William, George, Calvin and Larry.

Survivors include his wife, Mary of Panhandle; son, Jake Robinson and wife Becca of Panhandle; daughters, Ellen Robinson of Panhandle, Karen Alexander of Amarillo; grandchildren, Gage Alexander and wife Lacie, Wade “Tater” Alexander, Abby Townsend, Taylor Townsend, Patrick Robinson, William Robinson, Mary Ellen Townsend, Sarah Robinson; brothers, Wayne Robinson and wife Edythe of Canyon, Garre Robinson and wife Lisa of Canyon, Tony Robinson and wife Melany of Canyon; sisters, Annette Crowell and husband Mike of Claude, Marilyn Tarbet and husband Paul of Amarillo, Vonita Williams and husband James of Amarillo; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of extended family.