John Phillip Robinson, age 88, died peacefully on December 12, 2024, at Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Born on January 26, 1936, in Ulman, Missouri, he was the fifth of five siblings, including Herb, Iva, Ila, and Edith. His parents, Fred and Bertha (Bowlin) Robinson, preceded him in death.
John was a devoted husband to Dee Ann (Barnhart) Robinson, whom he married on May 2, 1959. They celebrated over 60 years of marriage together, sharing a life filled with love, faith, and family. Dee Ann preceded him in death in January 2024. John is survived by his two sons, Bob Robinson and his wife Christine, and David Robinson and his wife Tamara. He was a proud grandfather to Katie, Jason, Caroline, Hannah, Lillian, Colleen, Kate, and Micheal.
John is also survived by his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ed and Jennifer Barnhart, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family, including Sara Dunstan and Jerry, Dennis Vanhooser and Kathy, John Gambill and Amy, William Barnhart and Kaylie, Julia Barnhart, Micheal Lobsinger and other family members, Nancy and David Lobsinger.
Raised on a farm in Ulman, Missouri, John attended the School of the Osage in Lake Ozark, where he was an outstanding basketball player, earning all-district honors his senior year. He graduated third in his class in 1953. John attended Jefferson City Junior College on a scholastic scholarship, playing on the basketball team and receiving all-state honors in his sophomore year. He graduated third in his class in 1955 before attending the University of Missouri in Columbia, earning a BS in accounting in 1957.
John’s career began at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas, before transitioning to Bendix Corporation (later Allied Signal, Inc.) in Kansas City, where he worked for 37 years, retiring in 1994 as Accounting Manager.
John was an active member of Terrace Lake United Methodist Church and Grace United Methodist Church in Lee’s Summit, where he and Dee helped start the church and became charter members. After his retirement, John volunteered as Director of Visitation at Grace United Methodist for approximately ten years. He held several district positions within the United Methodist Church, including serving as President of the United Methodist Board of Missions of the Greater Kansas City.
A celebration of life will be held on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Grace United Methodist Church in Lee’s Summit, MO, where we will gather in remembrance and honor. Visitation begins at 10 a.m., leading to a heartfelt service at 11 a.m. The interment will be at Eldon Cemetery in Eldon, MO, at a date to be determined as we carry forth the legacy of love and joy.
Arrangements made by Langsford Funeral Home, Lee’s Summit, Missouri.
