Obituary: James Allen Robinson

James Allen Robinson "Attitude is everything" James Allen Robinson, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother died Saturday, July 29, 2006 surrounded by his family. He fought a heroic battle with cancer. He came into the world with a smile and bright blue eyes June 24, 1951. He was the son of Maria Wawra, and James Leon Robinson. He was born in Landshut, Germany where his dad was stationed after World War II. His mother died when he was nine months old, so his father brought him home to Orange, California. He grew up in the sunshine, amongst the orange groves. While he was growing up he loved spending time with his beloved grandparents, Goldie and Robert Robinson. He loved family gatherings, loved his grandmother's cooking, loved going to the beach, and loved hanging out with his friends. He played football at Orange High School and wrote a sports column for his high school paper. He then went on to play football at Santa Ana Junior College, where a coach there told him about Southern Utah State College in Cedar City. He applied for a football scholarship and arrived in his green Volkswagon bug on a winter day in 1973. He loved the beauty of the campus, loved playing football in Thunderbird Stadium, and made many new friends. In January 1974 he met his future wife, Shelley Swenson, and they were married just after his graduation in June of 1975. The next 31 years of Jim's life were full and happy. He saw the good in everyone, and everything. He loved life, lived everyday to the fullest. He was a dynamic individual, and always had a project. He loved photography, and filled scores of scrapbooks. He finished putting all our home movies on DVD's just before he got sick. His greatest joy was his family, he was the consummate family man. There wasn't a more loving, patient, considerate or generous husband and father than Jim. He worked as hard as he played and achieved a high level of success in his career as a pacemaker specialist. He was honest, organized and down to earth. He packed a hundred years of living into his 55 years on earth. He was at heart a music man. He woke up every day with a song in his head, and came home from work with a song on his lips. He loved the music of Paul McCartney, loved the Beatles, Beach Boys, and almost every other kind of music. He learned to love the theater, loved going to rock and roll concerts, loved to travel, loved eating out, and treated his family and friends to those experiences every chance he got. He was the fun heart of the family, and the life of the party. He had a quiet, private faith that never wavered, he had the strongest shoulders we've ever seen, and carried us all, even through his illness. He was an avid runner, and ran this last, uphill race with incredible grace, patience, and courage. He never complained, but instead expressed his love and gratitude throughout his ordeal. He is our hero. Jim is survived by his wife, Shelley; his daughter, Heather (Craig) Casper; and their daughter Abbey, Jim's beloved granddaughter; his sons, William (Josh) and Jeffrey; his daughter, Brianna; his stepparents, Judy and Paul Godfrey of Medford, Oregon; his sister, Lorri (Pete) Arnold of Santa Ana, California; his brother, Cliff Robinson of Riverside, California; his brothers, Mark (Kim) Robinson, and Craig (Tracy) Robinson of Medford, Oregon; his favorite uncle, Edward Robinson of Orange, California; and his favorite aunt, Beth Frostefer of Stephenville, Texas. He is also survived by his in-laws, Ronald and Norma Swenson of St. George, Utah; brothers-in-law, David (Coleta) Swenson, Arnold (Mindy) Swenson, Stuart (Kim), Swenson, Steve (Kitty) Swenson; special son, Brock (Kristin) Bryant; and their son, Brady James; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, all of whom he loved. He went on to a glorious reunion with those who preceded him in death, his mother and father; his grandparents; his oldest son, James; and many others who have been waiting patiently for his return. We miss him keenly, but celebrate his new life with him, as we celebrate the life he lived. Funeral services for Jim are Wed-nesday, August 2nd, at 12 noon in the Olympus Stake Center, 4500 South 2700 East in Holladay, Utah. Jim's family will be there at 11 a.m. to visit with family and friends in the Relief Society room. We want to express ours and Jim's heartfelt thanks to all who have visited, prayed, called, written, brought food, etc. Special thanks to his brother by choice, Dr. Greg Price of St. George, who showed up like an angel whenever he was needed without being asked, whose friendship brightened Jim's life before and during his illness. Thanks also to Greg's wife, Annie Price, for being a gentle and comforting friend. Thanks to our neighbors, Dr. Clayton and Marybeth Fuller, for their help during Jim's illness, and their kindness in putting together the video of his life. Thanks to the wonderful people of Southern Utah Home Health and Hospice, especially his sweet nurse, Karen Amundson. Thanks to the others involved in his care, the nurses and doctors who were kind and helpful. Thanks to neighbors, friends, family, and strangers for the countless offerings of food, errands, arrangements, and support. Special thanks to the friends and family members who traveled long distances to be with us to celebrate Jim's life while he was still with us. We love you all. Jim has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Primary Childrens Medical Center, because he loved children so much and worked there many years. In Jim's words, "Live life to its fullest, enjoy every single day."