BIG RAPIDS James E Robinson, 88, of Big Rapids, passed away Sunday, June 9, 2019, at The Brook of Big Rapids with his family at his bedside. He was born May 1, 1931, in Grand Rapids, the son of Edgar C. and Lenore (Belliel) Robinson. He attended Grand Rapids and Rockford Public Schools. He married Violet Anne Platt on Nov. 28, 1953, in Rockford, and together, they raised their family in Rockford and Morley. Violet preceded him in death on January 15, 2018. Jim was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He lovingly cared for his wife for the last five years of her life. It was a hard journey but he did it with dedication and determination to fulfill his marriage vows of in sickness and in health. He enjoyed farming, gardening, birds, woodworking and especially spending time with his family. He was always proud of his cornfields and grew amazing vegetables and flowers. In retirement he had more time to enjoy his gardening and grew more and more flowers for his wife. In retirement he also had time for woodworking and made many useful household items for his family. He made awesome wooden rocking horses for his grandchildren. In his free time, he loved playing Solitaire and watching westerns and game shows on television. Jim worked at a variety of jobs. As a young boy, he had a paper route in North Park delivering the Grand Rapids Herald using his wagon. When the family moved up to Rockford Jim delivered the Herald on horseback. While still in school at Rockford he worked at Squires Livestock every Friday in Rockford. After Jim quit school, he worked at Harry McPhalls Texaco Station, Fisk Sawmill and Avery Clement farms. Jim said he bummed around for about a year working where he could find work. On July 7, 1948, at the age of 17, he joined the Navy and went to the U.S. Naval Training Center in Great Lakes, Illinois for his basic training, finishing in September of 1948. After coming home for leave he went to Norfolk, Virginia and the latter part of 1948 was assigned to the USS Malabar, an AF-37 supply ship. Jim started his naval service as a Seaman Recruit, eventually becoming a Gunners Mate. While serving on the USS Malabar Jim went on supply trips through the Caribbean, Bermuda, Trinidad, Cuba, Puerto Rico and England. He was discharged from the Navy in Brooklyn, New York on June 9, 1952. After returning home from the Navy, Jim worked for GM in Grand Rapids, Fisk Sawmill and then became a milkman for Stouts Dairy in Sparta, Michigan around 1953. After being a milkman for ten years Jim worked in various jobs including a butcher shop, supermarket meat department before beginning his long career in the electrical trade in 1966. Jim did four years of apprenticeship and became a Certified Journeyman through the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 876. In December of 2016 he was presented with a certificate honoring his 50-year membership in the IBEW. Jim retired from the electrical trade in 1996. When Jim returned to his home in Rockford from the Navy, he met up with his neighbor Violet Platt and noticed she had grown up while he was away. They married on November 1953 living in Rockford until 1963 when he moved his growing family to Four Mile Road in Morley, Michigan. Jim will be greatly missed by many people. He is survived by eight children, Dianne (Mike) Stilson, of Morley; Bonnie (Randy) Jennings, of Clarksville, Ark.; James A. Robinson, of Oro Grande, Calif., Peggy (Ron) Schneider, of Big Rapids; Kay (James) Johnson, of Chandler, Ariz.; Theresa (Bill) Lawler, of Morley; Jeffrey (Lynne) Robinson, of Remus; and Rick (Nancy) Moore, of Morley; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; one sister Carole Bruursema and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, Jim was preceded in death by his mother, father and stepfather Anthony Olson; two siblings Dolly Kilts and Doug Robinson; grandson Anthony Schneider and great-grandson Ross Tronsen. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at 11 am at the Green Country Church, 4010 205th Ave, Morley located on the corner of Four Mile and 205th Ave. Pastor John David Stilson will officiate. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Jim will be laid to rest next to his wife at Aetna Township Cemetery in Morley. Memorial contributions may be made in Jims name to Spectrum Health Hospice or the Green Country Church. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com. Memorial Service Saturday, June 15, 2019 11:00 AM Green Country Church 4010 205th Avenue Morley,MI 49336 The family will greet friends Saturday, June 15, 2019 10:00 AM Green Country Church 4010 205th Avenue Morley,MI 49336 Burial of Cremains Saturday, June 15, 2019 2:00 PM Aetna Township Cemetery Morley,MI 49336