James Owen Robinson

A Celebration of Life event for James Owen Robinson, 77 yrs., will be held June 24, 2023 at 1:00 pm at Crosspointe Church on Jardot in Stillwater. James was surrounded by Sue, Jill, Bailey, Benjamin and his wife, brother, Ronnie, cousin, Nancy, when he went to be with the lord on June 13th.

James was born in Pawnee, OK on June 10, 1946. He was the 5th child out of 9 born to Arthur Gibbs and Lynn (Dooley) Robinson. James graduated from Pawnee High School in 1964. He always enjoyed visiting at the high school reunions.

James married Sandra Sue Karraker, his high school sweetheart and love of his life on June 16, 1967 at the first Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Pawnee. They almost celebrated 56 year of marriage together. Born to this union were, Mark Owen Cecil and Jill Denise Robinson.

James attended Oklahoma State University and worked part-time at OSU’s Student Union Bookstore. While Sue worked full-time at OSU in the College of Education. Later, James was the Assistant Manager of the Student Union Bookstore and Textbook Manager for 25 years. Next James had the same two titles for 5 years when he was hired by Cowboy Bookstore. Also in between these jobs, James operated Robinson’s Texaco Gas Station off of I-35 and Stillwater Hwy 51. Lastly, James went to work for his friend, Jeff Nett, who owned Hall of Fame Book trader, as Textbook Manager for 9 years.

James enjoyed living in the country, being outdoors, keeping our grass cut short and garden weeds free; plus, watching football and basketball games and being with his wife and family. James had a big heart and he was always willing to help family, friends, neighbors and others.

Our son, Mark passed away in 2009 and we started attending the Griefshare Program in Cushing, OK. Later our facilitators asked James and I to take over this program which was sponsored by Dighton-Marler Funeral Home. James and I felt like God wanted us to do this since we were helped. We became Griefshare facilitators in Cushing, then Drumright and later in Stillwater at the Crosspointe Church where we are members. We were the first Griefshare facilitators to come to Stillwater. We conducted these 26 weekly meetings each year for the last 12 years to help others who were grieving a loss.

Previously James and Sue were members of Mehan Church. There Sue and James made a menu, purchased the food, cooked and served the meal at the Wednesday night service for around 100 children and some church members for 1 ½ years. James worked in the distribution of food to needy families in this area. We also took food to church funerals, supported the American Cancer fundraisers and participated in fundraiser to send children to the church camp.

At Crosspointe Church, Stillwater, we conducted our Griefshare sessions, took food to church funerals, participated in other events, contributed items to the children’s backpack program. Plus, James was on a church committee that did tasks for the church.

James is preceded in death by his beloved son, Mark Owen Cecil Robinson; both of his parents; and his in-laws, Cecil Wilson and Iva (Bowman) Karraker; 3 brothers, Roy Lee, David Noah (Bear), and Arthur George (A.G.) Robinson; sister-in-law, Kathy Robinson.

James is survived by his wife, Sue Robinson; daughter, Jill Robinson (he loved his children and grandchildren very much). grandchildren, Bradley J. Robinson, Columbia, MD, with the Airforce; Bailey E. Robinson and boyfriend, Alex Endres in OKC, Benjamin D. (Ryli) Robinson in Edmond; 3 brothers, Ray Robinson (Marie) of Pawnee, Ronnie Robinson (Kate) of Orlando, and Fred Robinson of Stillwater; 2 sisters, Carol Bledsoe (Lee) of Ralston, and Jackie Darrah (Mark) of Tulsa; 3 brothers-in-law, Ron, Stillwater, Gordon, Gunbarrel, TX., and Darrell Karraker, Yale; numerous nieces and nephews.