John William Robinson, Jr.

October 6, 1939 – September 16, 2025

John was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, and a man of many talents — a businessman, public servant, pilot, farmer, outdoorsman and conservationist. He was knowledgeable and well-skilled in all the pursuits he undertook. Yet, beyond his many accomplishments, it was his strong Christian faith that anchored his life, guiding him to treat others with unfailing integrity and fairness.

John William Robinson, Jr., the son of John William Robinson, Sr. and Cora Couch Robinson of Winder, Georgia, was born October 6, 1939, at Emory Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, and died on September 16, 2025.

A lifelong Georgian, John lived in Winder until the early 2000s, when he and his wife, Margaret Mobley Robinson, moved to St. Simons Island following his retirement.

John attended Winder Public Schools through the eighth grade and graduated high school from the Darlington School in Rome, Georgia. He went on to study at both Emory University and the University of Georgia and was a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

After the premature passing of his father, John devoted his career to his family’s business, serving as President of Southern Waistbands, a manufacturer of interlinings for the apparel industry, for nearly 40 years. He also owned and operated an independent sales agency for Threads USA, a supplier of industrial thread. John made many lifelong friends in his career and loved telling colorful stories about the great times he had with these friends throughout his career in the apparel industry.

John was also an investor and Director of the Bank of Barrow and, following its acquisition, Bank South, where he later served as Chairman of the Trust Board. Following Bank South’s acquisition by NationsBank, John served on the NationsBank Advisory Board for Northeast Georgia. John was also a Director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia and later of Cerulean Companies, and he was a member of the Society of International Business Fellows.

John was generous with his time and resources, serving in numerous leadership roles for faith-based, civic and educational institutions that were important to him. He was a Trustee of the Georgia Baptist Foundation where he served as President and Chairman of the Endowment Committee. He was a long-time Deacon and Treasurer of the First Baptist Church of Winder and a devoted member of Wesley Church at Frederica. John was also an early supporter of the founding of Athens Academy, where his two children attended school, and he served as a Trustee of the school for many years.

John had a great love of the State of Georgia and served the state in several leadership positions. He was a member of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Chairman of the Private Colleges and Universities Authority and Board Member of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources where he served as Chairman of the State Parks and Historical Sites and Game and Fish Divisions.

Additionally, John served four terms as a Director of the Barrow County Chamber of Commerce, participated in Barrow County vocational education initiatives, and founded the Barrow County Manufacturers Health Clinic to serve apparel industry employees.

John loved farming and was a dedicated steward of land and wildlife habitat. Shortly after getting married in 1965, John and his wife, Margaret, built a house in Barrow County on land where he farmed row crops and timber for many years. Throughout his life, and up until his death, John spent countless hours managing timber land, planting crops and creating wildlife habitat. He was happiest in the outdoors — whether in the field with one of his beloved hunting dogs, farming, operating heavy equipment or sharing the natural world with his wife, children and grandchildren.

John was a proficient aviator earning his pilot’s license at age 17 and later his instrument, and multi-engine ratings. John flew airplanes for business and pleasure throughout the Southeast and as far West as Wyoming where he once took his family on a cross country adventure in his Cessna 182. John continued flying into his late 70s and remained active in the aviation community as a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) at St. Simons. Even after retiring from flying, John found joy in the camaraderie of fellow pilots, including his son, with whom he shared this passion.

John is survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Mobley Robinson; his children Margaret Martin (Christopher Harry Martin) and John W. Robinson III (Adrian Rice Robinson); and his beloved grandchildren: Grace, Mary Meyer and Carlton Martin and Will and Rice Robinson.

A memorial service will be held on September 25, 2025 at 11 AM at Wesley Church at Frederica located at 6520 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, Georgia.

A special thanks to Lisa Chapman and her team at Pruitt Healthcare, Felicia Walker, Linda Jordan, Jennifer Meyer and Dewayne Phillips for their professional and loving care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Fund at Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University at together.emory.edu/Robinson and the Wesley Church at Frederica in St. Simons Island, GA at wesleyssi.org