Colonel Gary Dwane Robison

Colonel Gary Dwane Robison passed away peacefully on December 15, 2024. He was born to Wayne Willow Robison and Vera Pauline Thacker on July 7, 1949 in Clarksburg, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; his life partner of 43 years, Allen Fuller; his brothers Freddie and Larry Robison; and sisters Phyllis Bernhard and Sharron Robison. He is survived by his sister, Shirley Beitz, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Gary graduated from nursing school and soon joined the Army Nurse Corps in 1970. He graduated from the Army Operating Room Nurse School and then was sent to Vietnam. He later earned his master’s degree in Nursing Administration at UTHSC in San Antonio. His career included teaching in the OR Technician Course at the Academy of Health Sciences, assignments officer for the Army Nurse Corps at PERSCOM, and he served as a staff officer in the Clinical Services Division of USAMEDCOM until his retirement in 1995.

After retirement he worked for ADT in residential and small business sales and then served as the residential sales manager until he retired due to increasing Parkinson’s Disease symptoms. The Parkinsons slowed him down, but it didn’t stop him. He became active in PAWS for Service, at first visiting nursing home patients with his beloved standard poodle, Jaeger, then becoming more involved as a mentor and the very first Facilities Coordinator. He developed that position from the ground up and his meticulous efforts left PAWS with an exceptional enduring process for connecting therapy dog teams with those who need them most.

Gary’s life was one of service, kindness and love. To call him fun-loving seems inadequate, as he was a beacon of light, a reminder that life is to be lived fully and shared generously. He taught us to laugh louder, dream bigger and love harder.

We want to thank Louis McMorris, his dedicated caregiver, for his attentive care, engaging companionship, and advocacy for Gary’s wellbeing. We also want to express great appreciation for Y. M. Beck’s loving support as friend, personal assistant, financial manager and care coordinator over these past 5 years.

A memorial service will be held at Porter Loring North Mortuary at 4pm on January 27 and the military service and internment will be held at 1:15pm on the 28th at the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to PAWS for Service.