James Herbert Robertson's Obituary
James Herbert Robertson was born on a farm in Vinita, Oklahoma on March 14, 1929. He was the ninth of Samuel Wade and Hattie Robertson’s eleven children. These few facts about him were the mold to the way in which he lived his life. Jim believed that faith and family are the only constants we’re given; he believed that hard work is the quality that separates good men from great men; and he believed in never forgetting the value of the things you already have. Anyone that watched him open a present knew this quality all too well (he always took such care with the wrapping paper so it could be reused).At age 17, Jim followed in the footsteps of his four older brothers and joined the Army Air Corp. He served for eighteen months and upon his release at the end of WWII, Jim hitchhiked his way back to Vinita to finish up his high school education. He graduated with his younger brother, Harold, in 1948.Soon after, Jim moved to Tulsa and began a career with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company earning $28 a month. He retired from the same company in 1987 after nearly 40 years of service.It was 1951 when he met and married MaryLee Washburn. His love for her was unwavering during their 63 years together; and it remains firm in the memories she carries with her, in the family they built, and in the rose he picked for her just days before his passing.Jim loved his family more than anything. He and MaryLee had four children: Jamie Lynne (deceased), Kathryn Elaine Baugess of Broken Arrow, Stacy Lynn Jones of Coweta, and James Craig Robertson of Coweta. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren were his pride and joy. He loved every minute they spent with him and never missed an opportunity to teach them lessons they could carry with them forever. Some of those lessons include:• The four F’s – Faith, Family, and Finances will build you a solid Future; • 8 hours for work, 8 hours for play, 8 hours for sleep; and lastly, • Always wave at the police officers.Jim was a pillar in his community. He served on the board at the Broken Arrow Senior Center and played a very active role volunteering with the Civitan Center, as well (his favorite activity with Civitans was no doubt transporting the Miss Chick contestants to and from the Roosters Days festival every year). He volunteered at Music in the Park, helped park cars during Broken Arrow football games, and worked at the Tulsa Election Board during every election season from 1962 until this past year. In 2010, Jim was designated Honorary Mayor of Broken Arrow – and what an honor it was to him. He even went out and bought a new suit for his big showcase in the parade.Jim Robertson was a model of a man. He never met a stranger – even during the times when race made everyone a stranger. He valued education – rarely did a day go by when you couldn’t find him with a book in his hands. He loved to garden – he especially loved teaching his grandkids how to garden. And of course, he believed that any day when he was holding a fishing pole was a good day.Jim is survived by his wife, MaryLee; 3 children; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; his brother, Harold Robertson of Miami; and his sister, Ruth Lester of Tulsa.In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Broken Arrow Civitans or the Broken Arrow Senior Center.
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