Thomas Robinson

Funeral services for Dr. Thomas Wayne Robinson, 84 of Mexia will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Blair - Stubbs Chapel, Mexia. Rev. Marcus Sheffield Will officiate and burial will be in the Mexia Cemetery. Dr. Robinson was born in Cisco, Texas on June 5, 1922 to Ira Wallace and Willie Viola Strickland Robinson and passed away at the Mexia Hospital on April 5, 2007. He attended public schools and graduated high school in 1940. Dr. Robinson is a WWII veteran who entered the U.S. Navy Air corps in April 1942. After boot camp in San Diego, he went to radio school in Memphis, where he graduated with honors and the rank of 3rd Class Petty Office. In gunnery school, for an act that was Termed "Over and Above", he was awarded the Silver Star and a Presidential Citation. He served as radio operator and tail gunner in Navy SBD divebombers, and later in heavy bombers. He was discharged in 1945, having been awarded the Purple Heart, Navy Cross, and Good Conduct Medals. Dr. Robinson entered the Christian ministry at the age of forty, and for twenty five years served four Disciples congregations, two in Texas and two in Oklahoma. Until retirement he was minister to the First Christian Church in Mexia for eleven and one Half years. He was also a faithful attendee at the Thursday morning prayer breakfasts For many years. Dr. Robinson was educated at Texas Christian University, The American Bible College, And Southern Seminary. He holds the Bachelor of Theology, Master of Theology, Doctor of Theology, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. Dr. Robinson has been very involved in civic projects including Volunteer fire fighting, Ambulance attendant (He is a registered Paramedic) Chairman of the City Planning and Zoning Commission, Board of Directors of the Foster Grandparents program at the Mexia State School for the mentally retarded, past President of the local Genealogical Association, President of the Board of Directors of the Mexia Country Club, and all Offices of the County Ministerial Alliance. He served as a member of the Regional Committee on Evangelism and the Area Board. Survivors are his wife: Mellie Jean Barnett Robinson of Mexia; children, The Reverend Jody Jessup of Hanover, Maryland, Steve Robinson of Enid,Oklahoma, Terry Karosy of Parma, Ohio, and Mellie Valsamaki Risner of Mexia, grandchildren, Clint and Robby Sharp, John, Daniel and Erin Robinson, Kenny, Kelly and Kevin Karosy, Damion Valsamaki and Jonathan Risner, 4great grandchildren, Nick and Olivia Sharp and Zoey And Cayden, brother, Earl Robinson and wife, Lee of Copperas Cove.