James R. Robbins

James Rudolph Robbins, 57, of Wilmington, NC passed on to his eternal rest on June 9, 2022. He was born to Cecil and Drew Robbins on January 28, 1965 in Florence, SC. For all those who knew him, he is and will forever be Jimbo.

He was preceded in death by his father, Cecil D. Robbins.

Jimbo moved to Wilmington, NC with his family as a child and grew up in Wilmington. He graduated from Cape Fear Technical Institute in 1982 and enlisted in the Navy the following summer on August 13, 1982. Following boot camp, he graduated Steelworker “A” School in Gulfport, MI.

Chief Robbins’ various tours during his service include: Point Loma Submarine Base, San Diego, CA, Naval Mobile Construction battalion FIVE, Port Hueneme, CA, Public Works Department Atsugi, Japan, U.S. Naval Support Force Antarctica, OPERATION DEEP FREEZE WINTER OVER, Construction Battalion Unit FOUR ONE NINE, Orlando, FL, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion SEVEN, Gulfport, MI, Naval Air Station, Keflavik, Iceland, Construction Battalion Unit FOUR ONE ZERO, Jacksonville, FL and Naval Mobile Construction Battalion ONE THIRTY THREE, Gulfport, MI, Navy Recruiting District Miami, Navy Recruiting Station Sarasota. During these tours Chief Robbins has made various deployments (over 6 months) to Subic Bay, Philippines, Sasebo, Kobe, Fuji, and Okinawa, Japan, Panama, Puerto Rico, Andros Island, Bahamas, Guam Christchurch, New Zealand, Antarctica, Kuwait, and Iraq.

Chief Robbins is designated as Seabee Combat Warfare qualified. His many awards include: the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation (two awards), Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards), Battle “E” Ribbon (two awards), Good Conduct Medal (six awards), National Defense Service Medal (two awards), Antarctica Service Medal with Winter Over Clasp, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (seven awards), Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (six awards), Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon, Expert Rifleman Marksmanship Medal, and Expert Pistol Marksmanship Medal.

It was once said that Jimbo did not lead a passive life and that is a very good description of him. Jimbo had a passion for anything fast, loud, or both; like motorcycles, boats, jet skis, four-wheelers, off-road, and on the track. The faster the better, he spent much of his retirement time riding, on and off road. He was known to take his camper, four-wheeler, and dog to spend a week or more at different places. If you saw Jimbo, there was a very good chance you would be greeted by his many beloved dogs over the years. He was also known to hunt and fish as time allowed. Adventure was a driving force for Jimbo.

He is survived by his mother Drew Robbins of Leland; brother Cary Robbins of Leland; sister Lynne (Dick); daughters: Nichole Alexander (Tanner) and Danielle Smith (Huston); grandchildren: Camden and Ava Alexander; and numerous cousins and other family members.

The Memorial Service will be held at 12:00pm on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Coble Funeral and Cremation Service at Greenlawn Memorial Park with Pastor Dick Bowie officiating. The family will host a Visitation from 11:00am-12:00pm in the Coble Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Step up for Soldiers at https://www.stepupforsoldiers.org/memorial