Raynor Ernest Robinson
Raynor Ernest Robinson
Raynor Ernest Robinson, 81, died Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at TMC Hospice—Peppi’s House, Tucson, Ariz.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Kay E. McHenry Robinson, of Green Valley, Ariz.; his daughter, KariAnn (Mark) McDonald of Woodland Park, Colo.; son, Patrick (Tiffany) Robinson of Beaver Creek, Ore.; grandchildren, Samuel Bryce (Hanna) Robinson of Okinawa, Japan, Alexander Kenneth (Kaelin) McDonald of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, and San Antonio, Texas, Kerenza Marie Robinson of Portland, Ore., Maggie Win McDonald of Denver, Colo., and Alyssa Quinn Robinson of Beaver Creek, Ore.; brother, Robert Bruce (Patricia) Robinson of Orleans, Ind., and Florida; brother-in-law, Jim (Kathi) McHenry of Bloomington, Ill.; and well-loved nephews and cousins, plus a multitude of dear friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Raynor and Carol Robinson.
He was a member of Central Presbyterian Church, Geneseo, N.Y., for 37 years and Desert Hills Lutheran Church upon death. Ray was active as a Son of God and servant of Jesus Christ.
He was born April 30, 1942, in Buffalo, N.Y. Ray graduated from Iroquois Central High School, worked parking cars, picking strawberries, and maintenance at Camp Aloha (a Camp Fire Girls camp) where he met Kay at age 17. A graduate of SUNY Brockport with a physical education and health major, and a master’s degree from University of Arizona, Tucson. Ray taught three years in Springville, N.Y., and coached swimming, and eight years at Geneseo, N.Y.
Ray joined the Navy aviation in 1977. He flew Grumman US-2C and Lockheed DP-2 multi-engine aircraft in Barbers Point, Hawaii. He was deployed briefly in Okinawa, Japan. After eight years of active service, Ray flew UH Huey and AH-1 Cobra helicopters for the Army National Guard and retired after 28 years.
Ray flew for ERA helicopters over the Gulf of Mexico to deep water oil rigs in Louisiana and Texas borders, Alaska, and Rotterdam. He drove semi-trucks for JB Hunt, flew helicopters for Mercy Flight Med-evac in Olean, N.Y., and worked on a beet farm on days off. Ray’s other work included dispatcher for Red Cross Motor Corps in Geneseo, tour bus for Mountain View, Tucson, Ariz., patrol in Quail Creek, Green Valley, Ariz., and G4S security supporting Border Patrol in Tucson, Ariz. Ray organized eight groups to put up 96 flags for eight holidays along La Canada. He was a member of Geneseo VFW and Masons (50+-year member and lifetime member), FRA, American Legion Madera Post 131 Chaplin and volunteer, and motorcycle rider, Green Valley, Ariz. A member of Corvette Outlaws, Ray had 11 Corvettes since 1965 (one at a time).
A Celebration of Life was held Oct. 13 at Desert Hills Lutheran Church. Interment to be announced in Central Presbyterian Church, 31 Center St., Geneseo, N.Y., Memorial Garden, with Rev. Nancy Lomaster officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Desert Hills Lutheran Church, 2150 Camino del Sol, Green Valley, AZ 85622 or American Legion Madera Post 131, 249 W Esperanza Blvd., Green Valley, AZ 85614.
In New York: memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church, 31 Center St., Geneseo, NY 14454.