James Franklin Robinson

James Franklin Robinson, 94, of Nampa, Idaho passed from this life to his heavenly home on December 11, 2020. He was Franklin to his mother and to everyone else he was Frank. He was born on October 29, 1926 in Hannibal, Missouri, the 4th child of Virgil and Addeline Robinson. In 1929 the family moved to California and two more children were added to the family. Frank and his 3 brothers were involved in all kinds of sports as children and sports remained a big part of Frank's adult life. Tragedy stuck the family in 1941, when his Father, Virgil, suddenly passed away. Frank attended Castlemont High School in Oakland CA but dropped out of school in 1943 to work full time at Winslow Engineering Company to help support his mother and younger siblings. Frank was drafted in October 1944, but was able to defer that for 6 months due to the support he was giving to his family. He entered the US Army on May 5, 1945. He was in Infantry Basic Training in Camp Hood, Texas when World War II ended. He served as a Supply Clerk with the 721st Night Fighter Squadron in Japan from November 1945 to November 1946 and was given an Honorable Discharge on January 28, 1947. Frank returned to Oakland CA and went back to work for Winslow Engineering Company. The company made oil filters for cars, trucks and industrial use. After Frank returned from the Army his maternal grandmother, Clara Pitts, introduced him to a young lady at church, Betty Hedglin, Frank and Betty soon fell in love and were married on September 20, 1947 in a double wedding with his brother Donald and his wife Euldene. Frank and Betty had 4 children, Michael, Nancy, Julia, and Charlene. In 1955 Frank and Better committed their lives to Jesus and their family's lives were forever changed by that decision. They raised their family in Berkeley CA and later moved to San Pablo, CA. The family was involved in serving their church, their schools and their community during those years. In the early 1970's tragedy struck the family again when Winslow Engineering, the company Frank had worked for since he was 14, had a fire that destroyed their building and the decision was made not to rebuild. Frank worked in the construction industry for a while, then he worked for another manufacturing company in Redwood City, CA. The 2 hour commute to and from work every day was hard on the family. In 1974, Frank was offered a position with Nelson Industries in Neillsville, Wisconsin, where he became the plant manager of one of the facilities where they manufactured oil filters and mufflers. This was a big change for them to move from everything and everyone they knew to a small town of 3000 in the middle of Wisconsin. In 1976, they sent their youngest child, Charlene, off to college, and Frank and Betty moved to Stoughton, Wisconsin, a town of 6000. Frank become the corporate safety director for Nelson Industries. His responsibilities included the safety procedures for the corporate office and all of the 9 manufacturing facilities the company owned in Wisconsin. Frank retired from Nelson Industries in April 1992 and they headed west to live in Nampa, Idaho to be with their 2 daughters, Nancy and Julia. In Nampa, Frank and Betty involved themselves with many ministries at College Church of the Nazarene including the Grace Notes choir, bible study and men's prayer groups, children's ministries and hospital visitation. Frank also volunteered at Hands of Hope, and The American Heart Association. He was a charter member of the Nampa Recreation Center and was an avid fan of NNU basketball and other sporting events. Betty, Frank's wife of almost 54 years died in April 2001. Frank continued many of his ministries during those years, then suffered another loss in February 2005 when his daughter Julia, died. Frank met Genevieve Dillabaugh at church and they were married in June of 2005. Frank and Genevieve had almost 8 years together, traveling, visiting family and serving God together. Genevieve passed away in February 2013.

Frank was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He loved people and spent his later years praying for his family and many of the children who were his prayer partners. Frank was preceded in death by his parents, all of his siblings and their spouses, his first wife, Betty, his daughter, Julia, his daughter-in-law, Karen and his 2nd wife Genevieve. He is survived by his son, Michael, his daughter, Nancy, his daughter, Charlene (Don) Clevenger and his 2 grandsons, Justin and Todd (Elli) Clevenger. The family would like to thank Genevieve's 5 children and their spouses for welcoming Frank into the family and including him in the lives of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank all their friends at Nampa College Church for faithfully praying for Frank these last several months. We would also like to thank Heart 'n Home Hospice for the care he received the last 4 months. Special thanks to Melody who would come to sing hymns to him, Val who tended to personal care and his nurse, Zack, Genevieve's grandson, who treated Dad with such love, care and dignity.

A memorial service for Frank will be held and Nampa College Church, 504 E. Dewey, Nampa Idaho 83686 on Saturday, January 9th, 2021 at 1:00 pm. Due to Covid concerns all attendees are asked to wear masks and social distance for the service. Frank's internment will be at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, January 8th, 2021 with only immediate family attending.

If you would like to contribute a gift in Frank's memory you can contribute to the following: The Frank and Betty Robinson Scholarship for nursing students at Northwest Nazarene University, University Advancement 623 So. University Blvd Nampa ID 83686 or to The Opal Foundation in care of Heart 'n Home 1100 NW 12th St Fruitland ID 83619

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