Glenn Robinson

GOT IT! The overly excited hollar from Glenn never failed to make us jump when we played BINGO. When we look for any item now, it’s hard not to mimic his tone and volume, as an example of our sincerest form of flattery. But now the voice is silenced and we can only hear it in our memories, for Glenn passed away in his sleep at home in the early morning hours of October 10, 2024. 

He was born James Glenn Robinson in Mountain City, TN and lived there almost all of his life. Like so many men of his generation, he answered the call to serve his country during the Southeast Vietnam Conflict and joined the US Navy in 1971 at the age of 18. As a result, he lived for a time in Pensacola, FL and onboard the USS Lexington. While in Pensacola, he and his high school girlfriend turned wife, Deborah (Gentry), welcomed the arrival of the first of their three children, Jennifer Robinson Midgett. After his honorable discharge from the US Navy, the young couple moved back to Johnson County and lived in Butler for a while before eventually settling on family land in Mountain City. 

He grew up farming that family land, crops such as tobacco, creasy greens, and beans. Farming taught him how machines work and he used those skills all of his life, repairing tractors and diesel trucks. To support his growing family, he had a variety of jobs from an over-the-road trucker, to milkman, and hay farmer, before eventually settling at Maymead as a diesel mechanic. When it was time to retire from Maymead, he was then free to work on his own tractors in addition to fixing other people’s. 

Glenn loved watching ‘90’s television shows, and old westerns and was very rigid in his scheduling of each day with each day ending after the channel 5 news was concluded. In the summer months he would usually be found up at the barn, performing maintenance or getting ready to take a tractor out to cut some hay. He once said he had seven tractors so he didn’t have to keep reattaching accessories. With seven, each can have its own accessory. He wore a lot of hats, and probably could’ve opened his own hat store.

The late 1970’s brought the arrival of his second daughter, Kelly Robinson Toms. Later in life she was often his first call for help because of her nurturing and hard-working nature. A third child followed soon after, his son, Paul Everette Robinson. Whereas Kelly acquired his personality, Paul inherited his mechanical nature and love for machines. Two granddaughters completed his progeny, and he doted on them as they lit up his world. 

A few years after he and Debbie’s lives diverged into different directions, he met the last love of his life, Betty Tedder. They were together for over 30 years until his untimely passing.

He is survived by his three children and their spouses, Jennifer (Joe), Kelly (John), and Paul (Heidi); two granddaughters, Katelyn Natalie Marie and Kimberly Annette; long-time fiancé, Betty Tedder; one brother, John Robinson (Carolyn); one sister Phyllis Boyce (Paul); sister in-laws Reba Isenhour, Patsy Timbs, and Suzette Hernandez; ex-wife Debbie Bucklin (Jerry); nephews Russell Robinson (Mary Ann), Clint Robinson (Shannon), Lynn Robinson (Heather), Julian Robinson (Michelle); Layne Boyce (Keisha); Loren Boyce (Jessica); Matt Robinson; nieces Rachel Robinson Shearin (John), Stacy Sikes and numerous other nieces and nephews including special farming helper, nephew Weston Robinson (Savannah). 

He was preceded in death by his father, S. Everett Robinson, mother Theda (Winchell), and siblings Hope, Sam, and Dale Robinson. 

Per Glenn’s wishes, there will be no public memorial and the family will have a private burial when all the mortuary details have been completed. He will be buried next to his baby sister, Hope Robinson. 

Special Thanks to Autumn Jordan who helped take care of the house when he was no longer able.