James "Pete" Robinson

Funeral Mass: 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on Pleasant Ridge and Green Oaks in Arlington, followed by a graveside service in Moore Cemetery in North Arlington. Viewing: 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Moore Funeral Home South, on Bowen Road and I-20 in Arlington.

Pete was born July 4, 1926, on a farm in Madill, Okla., to James Peter and Eurah Teter Robinson. Pete and his sister Rachel grew up in Duncan, Okla., and graduated from Duncan High School. He married Joyce Ann Zeigler of Wichita Falls, where he studied drama at Midwestern University.

He worked as a part-time musician, including time with the Gordon Kilgore Orchestra, and had various sales jobs with Lone Star Gas and several insurance companies. In 1954, the couple moved to Dallas to take a job with American National Life Insurance Co.

In 1960, Pete was promoted to general agent and the family moved to Arlington. Over the next 51 years he built his insurance agency where he worked until recently becoming ill. He was voted Underwriter of the Year several times during that period.

Music and humor were his lifelong passions. He maintained his membership in the musicians union until late in life and loved performing as a band member at various occasions.

He served in the Navy during World War II with the Pacific fleet, and participated in the occupation of Okinawa. He received the Victory Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.

His unforgettable personality has made richer souls of his family and many friends. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, and his son, Jack.

Survivors: His son, Pat and wife, Bridget, of Arlington; his daughter, Michaela, also of Arlington; his grandchildren, Justin, Matthew, Lucas and Megan, all of Arlington; his sister, Rachel Perdue who resides with her husband, Don, in Duncan, Okla.; niece, Tanya Duren of Duncan, Okla.; and nephew, Rick Perdue of Austin.

Arrangements under the direction of Moore Funeral Home, Arlington, TX.