Jack R. Robinson

Jack R. Robinson, age 102, died on May 13, 2024. He was born on April 29, 1922 in Fairfax, Missouri, the first son born to John S. and Bess Robinson.

He is predeceased by his parents; his wife and love of his life, Phyllis; and his siblings, Ruth Boyd, Alice Hire, Dorothy Poindexter, Edwin Robinson, Gene Robinson, Phyllis James, and Donald Robinson.

He is survived by his son, Mark Robinson (Linda), of Mountain Home, Arkansas, his brother, Jim Robinson of Missouri, and many dear nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jack lived and worked on a farm during his childhood years.  He often spoke of spending days in the fields plowing with their horses, Dolly and Daisy, and riding to school with his brothers and sisters on their horse Queen. These experiences taught him the value of hard work and gave him the skills to solve problems and get things done. During the Depression years the family changed locations and took on different jobs. He completed High School and shortly after enlisted in the Army for service in WWII.

Jack joined the Army Air Corp in October of 1942. After training he was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was assigned to the 775th Bomb Squadron and 463rd Bombing Group. He flew as a crew member of a B-17 Flying Fortress and his position was the ball turret gunner. He began flying active missions in 1944, flying with the Allyn’s Irish Orphans, and was a member of the model crew. Their plane was named Irish Orphan. The home base was Celone Airfield in Foggia, Italy. He completed 4 successful missions and was asked to fly mission 5 as a substitute crew member. During this mission the B-17 was hit by flak and the crew was forced to bail out while flying over Romania. He was captured after a few days and turned over to the German military. He survived 13 months as a P.O.W. in Stalag 17-B at Krems, Austria. He was liberated May 3, 1945 by American Army Forces of the 13th armored division.

Jack then returned home to Kansas City, Missouri and briefly retired from active duty. He later re-enlisted in the Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was promoted to Master Sergeant during this time. It was here he met Phyllis Jean Wint whom he called PJ and after a lot of work got her to go out on a date with him. She was the love of his life. His service in the Air Force took them to live in England, Missouri, and Germany. They told amazing stories of their adventures together. Upon coming back from Germany, Jack retired a second time, lived briefly in Oklahoma, and then moved to Burkburnett, Texas. He got a job working as a civilian contractor on aircraft maintenance for the T-38 and T-37 aircraft used at Sheppard AFB and worked there for 20+ years. Once retired, they moved to Holly Lake Ranch near Hawkins, Texas. It was their favorite place of all to live. They made many friendships, took trips in the RV, and served at Holly Brook Baptist Church. When the time came, they moved to North Texas, and finally Mountain Home, Arkansas to be near their family, Mark and Linda.

Jack was known for his ingenuity and resourcefulness and was known to play a practical joke or two. His quick wit would often bring a smile to the hearer. He loved John Wayne movies and loved to listen to a wide variety of music daily.

A burial service with military honors is scheduled for Friday, June 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the
Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery.