John Kenneth Robinson, (85) entered heavens gates and the loving arms of his precious Savior on June 12, 2018 with his wife near his side. Mr. Robinson was born on September 27, 1932 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to John Byrne and Jessie Mary Robinson. He graduated from Fort Smith Senior High School in 1949, followed by Oklahoma Baptist University in 1954 where he received his bachelors in English and Music. From there he moved to Fort Worth, Texas where he attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In 1956, Ken graduated from seminary with a masters in Religious Education. During his time in seminary, he served churches in and around Fort Worth before accepting the position as Music Minister at FBC Princeton. While at Princeton he met Addie Thompson, an elementary school teacher, later marrying her in McKinney on Nov 22, 1956 while serving as Music Minister at FBC Farmersville. Later they moved to Greenville where he accepted the music position at FBC of Greenville.
Bro Ken, as he was affectionately known, continued to serve churches within the Southern Baptist Convention in Texas and New Mexico until he retired in 1998. He served FBC Clovis 1959-1964; San Jacinto Baptist Church in Amarillo, Texas 1964-1967; FBC Carlsbad, New Mexico 1967-1971; Meadows Baptist Church in Plano, Texas 1971-1981; FBC Carlsbad again from 1981-1987; then taking on a new role as the Director of Missions for the Pecos Valley Baptist Association in Artesia, New Mexico from 1987-1998. After retiring in 1998, Ken served as intentional interim in churches throughout the southeast corner of New Mexico.
Robinson, who was a prolific writer, wrote for LifeWay through the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Published works include articles in church training magazines and Choristers Guild. He also served as curriculum writer for children’s music through LifeWay. During his years as Music/Worship Leader, Bro. Ken stayed busy adding to his ministry by leading revivals and conferences across America in 17 states. He led music conferences at both Glorieta and Ridgecrest from 1966-1982, and also at Singspiration held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. While serving in New Mexico, Robinson was elected President of the Sunday School Convention and church training union of New Mexico and also held the position of Vice President of the Baptist Convention of New Mexico. In Texas, he taught as an adjunct instructor in children’s music at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He led out on several youth choir mission trips and was the director for VBS each summer in the churches where he served. Ken had a heart for missions and spent many years traveling to Mexico where he led evangelism mission groups to the Yucatan Peninsula as well as South Korea. He always had a passion for working with the underprivileged and special needs children of the community where he resided. He even started a music program at his church for children with special needs.
Some of the fondest and most cherished memories of Ken no doubt involve music, whether through the cantatas he led at church, silly songs he taught to school aged children, singing with his autoharp around a campfire, and most fondly of all, just singing around the piano as Ken would play for friends and family. In his later years, and until recent days when Parkinson's prevented him from playing the piano any longer, he would go to the nursing homes in Canton and lead the residents in signing some of their favorite hymns each week.
Ken is survived by his loving, faithful bride of nearly 62 years, Addie (Thompson) Robinson formerly of Blue Ridge, now of Canton, Texas; his four children - daughter Libby Clifton (Bruce) of Amarillo, Texas; son Dr. J. Mark Robinson (Carolyn Young) of Canton, Texas; daughter Dr. Robin Newman (Patrick) of McKinney, Texas (previously of Colorado Springs, Colorado); and son David Robinson (Nikki Woody) of Amarillo, Texas (previously of Bean Station, Tennessee); 11 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren; and his sister Dr. Mary Katherine Sherwood of Southern California. He will be profoundly missed with a void none can fill, yet will be remembered for his high integrity, his wit, his kind gentle spirit, and above all his love for Jesus who no doubt greeted him with, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant, welcome home…”
Services will be held 1 pm Saturday at the Meadows Baptist church in Plano, Texas. Visitation will be held at Friday evening from 6-8 pm at Eubank funeral home in Canton, Texas. A second visitation will be held at Meadows Baptist Church from 12- 1 pm on Saturday. Pallbearers will be the grandsons of Mr. Robinson: Taylor Robinson, Jon-Michael Clifton, Barrett Clifton, Joshua Newman, Britton-Caleb Robinson, and Jordan Newman. If donations are desired, please make contributions to the Gideons International.
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