Thomas Jackson Robinson, age 72 of Dayton died Friday morning, June 25, 2010 at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga. T. Jack was born on August 1, 1937 and lived all of his life in Dayton. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred Carlton Robinson and Nell Spivey Robinson. He was a graduate of the McCallie School and of Vanderbilt University and served his country as a 1st Lieutenant with the Army Reserves.
Since 1966 he has served as President and Chairman of the Board of Robinson Manufacturing Company, the Rhea County industry founded by his father in 1927.
For many years he served as a director of Dayton Bank & Trust, and as a member of the Dayton Regional Planning Commission, the Dayton Industrial Development Board and the Rhea County Quarterly Court. He was also very active in the National Knitwear Manufacturers Association.
He was an active and ardent supporter of local charities and community organizations including the United Way of Rhea County, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Dayton Jaycees, serving as president of the latter and being named its “Man of the Year” in 1964. He was a former trustee of McCallie School and Bryan College. He was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church in Dayton.
A lifelong hunter and avid outdoorsman, he was a longtime director of the Suwannee River Field Trial Club and a former director of the National Field Trial Championship Association. In 2004, he was inducted into the National Field Trial Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Winifred “Winnie” ( Crouch ) Robinson, his four sons, Fred Carlton (Kati) Robinson II, Patrick
Miller (Ashley) Robinson, Albert Miller (DeAnna) Robinson all of Dayton and Brian Crouch Robinson of Charlotte, NC, his sister, Marguerite (Dr. Robert) White of South Pittsburg; five grandchildren, Thomas Jackson Robinson II, Molly Robinson, Winnie Robinson, Wesley Robinson and Stella Robinson; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends Monday from 10:00am until 1:00pm at the Robinson Guest House located at 716 Market Street in Dayton.
Graveside funeral services will follow at Spivey Cemetery in Dayton with Rev. Carter Johnson officiating. Pallbearers will be Thomas Jackson Robinson II, Jack Robinson White, Howard Brooks, Skip Griffin, Walter Forbes, Shuford Johnston, James F. Smith and Thomas J. Smith.
Memorial contributions may be made to the McCallie School, United Way of Rhea County or 20th Century Fund of the Amateur Field Trial Clubs of America.
Please share your memories of T. Jack on his on-line guest register at
www.vanderwallfh.com
.
The family is being served by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton. (423) 775-2662