Marvin S. "Buddy" Robinson, Sr.

Marvin S. "Buddy" Robinson Sr., 85, of Parsons, passed away at 4:00 a.m., Friday, May 4, 2018 at the Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka after a long illness.

He was born March 31, 1933 in Georgetown, Texas to Charles M. and Wiley Mae (McClain) Robinson. The family moved to Parsons in 1946 where Buddy attended Douglass Elementary School and Parsons High School.

He joined the United States Navy during the Korean War. Buddy was a member of the crew of the USS Devastator, a mine sweeping ship which completed numerous dangerous missions. The Ship was awarded two service stars for Korean Combat Campaigns. Buddy personally received several awards for his military service, including the Korean Defense Medal and United Nations Service Medal.

Following his honorable discharge, he lived in Kansas City, Kansas. While in Kansas City, he began his employment with the Kansas City Call newspaper. He worked as a linotype operator and patented an operation to make the process more efficient. Buddy later returned to Parsons. He attended Labette County Junior College, where he received an Associates of Arts degree. He worked at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant. He never forgot his hometown though and made trips to Georgetown regularly for family and class reunions.

Community service was important to Buddy. He served in the local chapter of the NAACP, various Baptist fellowships, and was a member, supporter, and sponsor of AA. He was also very active in Brown-Bishop Post No. 704, Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Parsons. In earlier years, Buddy was a member of the Southeastern District Baptist Fellowship singing group in Coffeyville.

Marvin and Verdis J. Robinson were married. She preceded him in death.   Marvin and Josephine E. Stone were married in May of 1984. She preceded him in death on June 27, 2005.

Survivors include a son, Marvin S. Robinson II of Kansas City, KS; three sisters, Bernice Roberts, Ellen Ingram, and Helen (John) Singleton, of Los Angeles, CA; and one brother, Edward (Debbie) Robinson of Parsons, KS.

He will be lovingly remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and many dear friends.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Marcella Roberts and Lois Coker.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, May 19, 2018 at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery in Parsons. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to Colmery-O'Neil VA Medical Center for the Sunflower Memory Center. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.