Joe Robinson

Joe Charles Robinson, 83, of Waco passed away Sunday, January 8, 2012, in Providence Hospital. He had been a resident of Waco for more than 46 years. Private family services will be held later in Lubbock.

Joe was born May 9, 1928, in Trenton to W. E. and Annie E. Dodson Robinson. The family moved to Lubbock after Joe graduated from high school where he attended Texas Tech University, then served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War. Upon return from the war, Joe began a 30-year-long distinguished career as a loan guaranty officer with Veterans Affairs in Lubbock and in Waco. During the years he and Berniece lived in Waco, she also worked for Veterans Affairs.

Joe was energetic and enthusiatic about life. He served as a statistician for Little League baseball teams in Lubbock, he planned numerous worldwide vacations for Berniece and himself, took his stepsons to see famous baseball parks and games, enjoyed amusement parks, ice cream and every patriotic occasion. He could quote statistics for most baseball and football games as well as golf tournaments. He was particularly elated when Robert Griffin III of Baylor University won the Heisman trophy in December and looked forward to watching his professional football career. He was featured in the Waco Tribune in the 1970s for his tireless picking up cans off Waco streets, resulting in more than two million cans being recycled. Joe was a 15-year volunteer for the American Heart Association.

These statistics point to his proud citizenship and giving spirit but none so much as his devotion to his wife of almost 48 years who he always referred to as "his little darling" and the opportunities he gave and the pride he took in his two stepsons Michael Malcik and Don Russell and their families. He was a devoted 24/7 caregiver to Berniece until just before his death, devoting his life to her well-being for three years following an accident in January 2009 that lead to her decreased mobility and ever-advancing disabilities. Though a "stepfather," Joe engaged in the lives of his sons, always encouraging and complimenting them on their achievements. It is for these gifts of his tireless care and his tender spirit that his family and friends will always remember him.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents and his grandson Adam Malcik. He is survived by his wife, son Michael Malcik and wife Vy of Edgewood and son Don Russell and wife Marsha of Dallas. Joe took great pleasure in his grandchildren Emily Malcik, Chris Russell, Travis Russell and wife Jillian. He is also survived by two sisters, Wanda Jones of Lubbock and Billye Troke of Costa Mesa, California.

The family requests that memorials be made to The American Heart Association.