Dr. James Robison

ANNA, Ill. -- Dr. James Troy Robison Sr., 95, of Lake Ridge, Va., formerly of Southern Illinois, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Westminster in Lake Ridge.

He was born Aug. 8, 1913, in Bollinger County, Mo., to Willie Mack and Mary Ann Shelton Robison. He and Edith Vick were married June 3, 1939. They enjoyed 50 years together until her death Feb. 11, 1990.

Robison received an undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a doctorate from the University of Colorado.

He was a political science expert and specialist in economic history and geography of Europe. He taught in one-room grammar schools all the way to university level in Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee and Maryland. He worked as an economic intelligence specialist with the Department of Defense and the State Department in Washington, D.C.

He was head of secondary education programs for the U.S. Air Force under the Department of HEW. He coached community and public schools in basketball, track and baseball and was very active in community and civic organizations.

He was an active member of Cheverly United Methodist Church of Cheverly, Md., more than 45 years. He was also a member of First United Presbyterian Church of Dale City, Va. He was a proud life member of Target Intelligence Association with the U.S. government. He was a Boys Club assistant and coach in Cheverly. He was a lifetime member of Woodmen of the World Fraternal Organization, a 50-plus year member of Masonic Lodge of Hyattsville, Md., a 70-year member of Makanda Masonic Lodge 434 and a Master Mason.

He was a member of American Legion and an elected town councilman of Cheverly. He was a member of National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Alumni Association of Southern Illinois University and the Alumni Association of University of Colorado at Boulder.

Survivors include two sons, James T. (Donna) Robison of Granite Bay, Calif., Edwin L. (Karen) Robison of Silver Spring, Md.; a daughter, E. Kay Hinegardner of Woodbridge, Va.; eight grandchildren, Kenneth (Shannon) Hinegardner of South Carolina, Kathryn (Robert) Robison of Virginia, SherylLynn (Jeff) Frazier of Georgia, Amy (Tim) Nance and Ashley Robison of California, and Chris, Nicholas and Greg Robison of Maryland.

Also 12 great-grandchildren, Blake and Elise Hinegardner of South Carolina, Nichole, Michael, Michelle and Matthew Robison of Virginia, Alex, Hannah Grace and James Frazier of Georgia, and Alexis Robison and Matthew and Addison Nance of California; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Vick Robison; parents; five brothers, Roy, John, Clyde, Floyd and Ralph; a daughter-in-law, Sally Ann Franklin Robison; and a son-in-law, Ray Hinegardner.

The funeral was held April 18 in Virginia.

Visitation will be from 3 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Crain Funeral Home in Anna.

A graveside service will follow immediately at Jonesboro Cemetery with a granddaughter, SherylLynn Frazier, officiating.

Crain Funeral Home of Anna is in charge of local arrangements.

To leave an online condolence, visit www.crainsonline.com.