Jess Warren Robinson (Sunrise February 21, 1941- Sunset November 12, 2022)
Warren was the second child born from the union of Gerald Walter Robinson and Frances Waller Robinson Tomlin of Wichita. He graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1959 and attended Hutchinson Junior College. Following in the footsteps of his father, Gerald (serving 25 years), and grandfather, Walter (serving 43 years), Warren became a firefighter, totaling over 100 years of a Robinson in Kansas firefighting service. He distinguished himself as not only the first Black firefighter in Hutchinson, but excelled to the rank of Captain (also the first Black), before retiring with 33 years of active service. Throughout those years Warren was a proud member of the Firefighter’s Union, IAAF Local 179. He also was passionate about researching his family’s genealogy, especially focusing on and proud of his Buffalo Soldier ancestry, and loved fishing.
Warren and his wife, Geneva, enjoyed more than 60 years of love and friendship together. They owned and operated their own drapery business, Robinson Interiors, for 40 years.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald Robinson; mother, Frances Tomlin; sons, Yancy Robinson, Anthony Robinson; and nephew, John Evers Robinson.
Warren is survived by his wife, Geneva; son Teddy Robinson (Lisa) of Houston, TX; daughters, Shari Robinson, Rhea Robinson; 8 grandchildren, Jeremy, Jasmin, Monique, Dominique, Deion, Leslie, Lance, and very special granddaughter, Abriel; 7 great-grand-children; siblings, Gerry Robinson (Paula) of New York, Victor Waters (Cheryl), Quita Waters of Altadena, California, Keith Robinson (Patsy) of Houston, TX; 6 nephews and nieces; many extended family members; and a countless number of “adopted” children who loved him deeply.
Memorial service will be 1 p.m. Monday, November 28, 2022, at Elliott Chapel. Inurnment of ashes will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, with honors conducted by the Hutchinson Fire Department.
The service will be livestreamed and the link to view it below will be active beginning at 12:45 p.m. the day of the service
Click here to view the service.
Friends may sign his memorial book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at Elliott Mortuary.