James "Jim" Franklin Robbins

James “Jim” Franklin Robbins, age 80, passed away Friday, March 11, 2022, at Twin Rivers Health and Rehabilitation Center in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

Jim was born on November 22, 1941, in Memphis, Tennessee to the late, Sammie Franklin Robbins and Flora Ross Robbins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brother-in-law, Augie DeRitter.

He attended Memphis State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He was a US Coast Guard Veteran. He retired as a wildlife biologist for the US Army Corps of Engineers at Arkabutla Lake, Mississippi in 2001. He had worked for the US Army Corps of Engineers as a Ranger, a Regulatory Specialist and a Public Affairs Officer in the Nashville District.

As an accomplished writer, Jim wrote many wildlife and fishery articles over the years and also published a book on Crappie fishing. He loved crappie fishing the best but loved to fish for any species. He was the President of the Tunica, Mississippi Ducks Unlimited Chapter in the 1990’s. He was also a dedicated member of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Jim had many hobbies including wildlife painting and coaching girls’ softball. He loved all sports including the St Louis Cardinals Baseball and any SEC team sport.

Jim pursued his love for hunting turkeys and accomplished two Grand Slams and a Royal Slam. He successfully bear and elk hunted in Canada and loved pheasant, goose and duck hunts.

His passion was his Boykin Spaniels and the hunts in Nebraska and training them at a game preserve in Illinois. Watching them flush and retrieve birds was a joy. He made them avid antler shed hunters and spoiled rotten pets.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Tracey Robbins Hughes, and granddaughters Kaitlyn Mabe and Gracelyn Hughes all of Cookeville, Tennessee; his sister, Sandra DeRitter, nieces, Alisa (Mike) Moore and Debbie (Mark) Matthews, and two great-nephews, all of Nesbit, Mississippi. And his special friend, Boykin Spaniel partner and caregiver, Cindy Woodson Jackson of Amity, Arkansas.

There will be no formal burial, however, there will be a celebration of Jim’s life to be held by his family and friends, at 2:00 PM, Saturday, April 23, 2022, near Arkabutla Dam (Coldwater, Mississippi), at Dub Patton Recreation Area-Picnic Shelter.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home, Glenwood.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to his favorite organizations in memory of James “Jim” Robbins; to The Boykin Spaniel Society, P. O. Box 3149, Camden, SC 29020, or The Boykin Spaniel Rescue, https://boykinspanielrescue.networkforgood.com/projects/54943- donate-to-boykin-spaniel-rescue-inc; or The National Wild Turkey Federation, P.O. Box 530, Edgefield, SC, 29824-0530; or consider planting a wildlife tree or shrub or flower in his memory to attract pollinators and take care of the critters.

Guest registry is at www.smithfamilycares.com.