John Mark Robinson

John Mark Robinson, 51 of Amarillo, Died November 10, 2018.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 17 at First Presbyterian

Church, 1100 S. Harrison St. Arrangements are by Schooler Funeral Home.

John Mark was born February 3, 1967 in Weatherford, Oklahoma to John and Leslie Robinson. He graduated from Amarillo High School in 1986, was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, and a Lifetime Member of the Amarillo Area Corvette Club.

John Mark loved the outdoors, had an affinity for all animals – especially turtles, was an avid sports fan, and had encyclopedic knowledge of Corvettes.  He was always willing to help anyone out, and no job was too difficult or dirty – he’d say “someone’s got to do it, might as well be me”.

Growing up, John Mark enjoyed riding horses and was active in the Boy Scouts earning Life rank. Summer camps included Spanish Peaks Scout Ranch in Colorado where he backpacked and climbed the East Peak with his Dad, learning skills used throughout his life enjoying many activities outdoors.

John Mark loved working with his hands. Over the years he worked a number of jobs in a varied number of settings starting when he was in high school making fine furniture with Robert Lahmeyer on 6th Street.

At Amarillo Floor he learned how to make and install laminated counter tops, run a fork lift and learned to be a perfectionist which helped all the rest of his life. Here is where he began showing up before anyone else arrived and continued doing so in all his other jobs.

Backyard Adventures taught John Mark how to use many tools in various applications, how to instruct and lead co-workers. The foreman told us that if his department needed to speed up their production, he would put John Mark in position one and the others had to keep up. (Picture “I Love Lucy” in the chocolate factory.)  Here he was introduced to the Spanish language and liked to use it while greeting or replying to people.

At Assister Auctioneers he applied his horse riding experience to taking care of two Clydesdale horses; watering, feeding, cleaning their hoofs, washing and brushing after they rolled in the mud after a rain. He learned some computer skills, fixing things after others had tried without success, backing trailers and many life skills. He would do anything he was asked to do.

Working for the City of Amarillo he was able to work outside again by helping maintain many parks throughout the city.  No task was too small or too large no matter rain, shine or snow.

For many years he was an active member of the Amarillo Area Corvette Club even though not owning a Corvette.  While he enjoyed all the shows and parades he was also proud to help with the charity drives the Club is known to support around the city.  In 2013, he was very excited when the club recognized his contributions by granting him a lifetime membership.

Many people at First Presbyterian recognized John Mark as he carried through his mission of always arriving first, and being there to welcome them to church every Sunday, whether at the South door, a Sunday School Class, or at the entrance to the Sanctuary. Others at First Pres knew John Mark through the singles group; he enjoyed their many outings, but his favorites were the camping trips.

John Mark’s neighbors, whether on 38th Street, Meadowland Drive, or in Cuchara, Colorado, all knew him as a friendly hard working guy always willing to help with projects, cars, and yard care.  He impressed many people and made friends with his efforts with fire mitigation for the Spanish Peaks Firewise Community.

John Mark loved sports, he could talk for ages about his favorite teams – the Texas A&M Aggies and the Dallas Cowboys – probably not a coincidence that both teams won the weekend John Mark went to heaven.

John Mark is survived by his parents, John and Leslie Robinson of Amarillo, TX; brother, Stewart Robinson and wife Marilynn of Golden, CO; and several Uncles, Aunts, cousins and loving family members.  He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Grandmother Peggy Hudson, step-grandfather Lester Hudson, grandfather Richard M. Stewart, grandmother Mary  Robinson, and grandfather Ervil (Robbie) Robinson and his aunt Judith Robinson Chamblee.

Family, friends, and co-workers have all shared their favorite stories and memories giving us an opportunity to laugh, learn more about John Mark’s many personalities, and remember the brightness he brought to our lives.

John and Leslie want you to make sure to hug your kids.