Major Robinson
June 30, 1921 — December 27, 2017
Major Robinson
Major General Ray Albert Robinson, (U.S.A.F., Retired), 96, of Little Rock, passed away December 27, 2017. General Robinson was born on June 30, 1921 in Little Rock, graduated from Little Rock High School in 1939, attended Arkansas Polytechnic College from 1939-1940, and Little Rock Junior College, 1941. He began his flying career while at these schools in the Civilian Pilot Training courses. His military career began in October 1941 as an Aviation Cadet and in June 1942 he received his pilot wings and commission as Second Lieutenant at Moore Field, Texas.
In July, 1942, during World War II, he was sent to Panama and his group was later sent to England. He was involved in the European Theater of Operations and flew air combat missions over Germany and France. He also participated in the D-Day invasion. General Robinson completed 104 missions and a total of 350 combat hours. He received the Distinguished Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters and too many more to mention, including medals from Belgium, France, China and Vietnam.
General Robinson retired after serving for 36 years in France, Germany, Belgium, Vietnam and other foreign countries. Upon his return to his home town of Little Rock, he became involved in many civic organizations including the Art Center, Fine Arts Club, the Executive Service Corps, the Downtown Kiwanis Club for over 40 years, and many others. The Kiwanis Club made him a George F. Hixson Fellow, one of Kiwanis International's highest honors. He was a member of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council, of which he was President for two years, and a member of St. James United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Ray A. Robinson, Sr.; his wife of 72 years, Doris Sherry Robinson; and a sister, Kathlyn Hosp. He is survived by his three daughters whom he adored: Sherry Diane Robinson Duffus-Martin, husband, Jim, of Greenville, North Carolina, grandson, John David Duffus III "Trey" of Raleigh, North Carolina, granddaughter, Megan Elizabeth Duffus Dellinger, husband, Dean, great-granddaughters Elizabeth and Emerson, all of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter, Lisa Lou Robinson Polk, husband, Frank of Marvell, Arkansas, granddaughter, Rebecca Pauline Polk Scaife, husband, Jeremy, great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn, great-grandson, Tyler, all of Little Rock, granddaughter, Renee Elizabeth Polk Sheppard, husband, Jon, great-grandson, Myers, and twin great-granddaughters, Alex and Marian, all of Texarkana, Texas, grandson, Franklin Robinson (Robbie) Polk, wife, Leah, and daughter, Maya, of Marvell, Arkansas; and daughter, Lori Lea Robinson Plugge, husband, David, of Little Rock, and granddaughter, Rae Elizabeth Plugge of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Piercy of Atlanta, Georgia and her four sons, Dan, Doug, David and Darryl Aldridge.
Funeral services will be held at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., on January 5 at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Rev. Carness Vaughan. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Memorials may be made to Camp Pfeifer at 5512 Ferndale Cutoff Road, Little Rock, AR 72223, the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club, or to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. General Robinson's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
321 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, AR, 72212
In July, 1942, during World War II, he was sent to Panama and his group was later sent to England. He was involved in the European Theater of Operations and flew air combat missions over Germany and France. He also participated in the D-Day invasion. General Robinson completed 104 missions and a total of 350 combat hours. He received the Distinguished Service Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters and too many more to mention, including medals from Belgium, France, China and Vietnam.
General Robinson retired after serving for 36 years in France, Germany, Belgium, Vietnam and other foreign countries. Upon his return to his home town of Little Rock, he became involved in many civic organizations including the Art Center, Fine Arts Club, the Executive Service Corps, the Downtown Kiwanis Club for over 40 years, and many others. The Kiwanis Club made him a George F. Hixson Fellow, one of Kiwanis International's highest honors. He was a member of the Little Rock Air Force Base Community Council, of which he was President for two years, and a member of St. James United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Gladys and Ray A. Robinson, Sr.; his wife of 72 years, Doris Sherry Robinson; and a sister, Kathlyn Hosp. He is survived by his three daughters whom he adored: Sherry Diane Robinson Duffus-Martin, husband, Jim, of Greenville, North Carolina, grandson, John David Duffus III "Trey" of Raleigh, North Carolina, granddaughter, Megan Elizabeth Duffus Dellinger, husband, Dean, great-granddaughters Elizabeth and Emerson, all of Atlanta, Georgia; daughter, Lisa Lou Robinson Polk, husband, Frank of Marvell, Arkansas, granddaughter, Rebecca Pauline Polk Scaife, husband, Jeremy, great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn, great-grandson, Tyler, all of Little Rock, granddaughter, Renee Elizabeth Polk Sheppard, husband, Jon, great-grandson, Myers, and twin great-granddaughters, Alex and Marian, all of Texarkana, Texas, grandson, Franklin Robinson (Robbie) Polk, wife, Leah, and daughter, Maya, of Marvell, Arkansas; and daughter, Lori Lea Robinson Plugge, husband, David, of Little Rock, and granddaughter, Rae Elizabeth Plugge of Fayetteville, Arkansas. He is also survived by his sister, Janet Piercy of Atlanta, Georgia and her four sons, Dan, Doug, David and Darryl Aldridge.
Funeral services will be held at St. James United Methodist Church, 321 Pleasant Valley Dr., on January 5 at 10:00 a.m., officiated by Rev. Carness Vaughan. Interment will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander. Memorials may be made to Camp Pfeifer at 5512 Ferndale Cutoff Road, Little Rock, AR 72223, the Downtown Little Rock Kiwanis Club, or to a charity of one's choice.
Arrangements by Little Rock Funeral Home, 8801 Knoedl Ct., (501)224-2200. General Robinson's online guestbook may be signed at www.littlerockfuneralhome.com.
Funeral Service
JAN 5. 10:00 AM (CST)
St. James United Methodist Church321 Pleasant Valley Dr.
Little Rock, AR, 72212
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