Gary Arnold Robinette II

Born on September 22, 1960, in Bristol, Virginia, Gary recently retired from the University of Tennessee, where he cherished the friendships he had formed during more than 36 years of faithful service to the UT Athletic Department as groundskeeper and mailroom specialist. An avid fan of the Vols, Gary loved sports of all kinds, especially baseball, and he had an uncanny ability to remember scores, statistics, and remarkable plays, players and games. He adored all sorts of animals and spent his free time caring for his own pets, as well as those of friends, family, and neighbors, and the wildlife around his South Knoxville home. He found great joy in his extended family and particularly loved sharing family stories and favorite episodes of The Andy Griffith Show.

He will be missed by many friends, former colleagues, neighbors, and his loving family. Gary is survived by his parents, Cynthia McCalla of Fruita, Colorado, and Gary (Linda) Robinette of Bristol, Virginia; sister Sara (George) Robinette-Hayes of Crested Butte, Colorado; stepsisters Christina (Mike) Hurley of Bristow, Virginia, and Angie Robinette of Meadowview, Virginia; step-brothers Gary (Kerrie) Mason of Charlton, Massachusetts, and Greg (Jessica) Mason of Chilmark, Massachusetts; many nieces and nephews; and a large extended family. Interment will be private.

The family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to Young-Williams Animal Center, 3201 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919 (young-williams.org). Online condolences and fond memories may be shared with the Robinette family at www.berryfuneralhome.com