Jack J. Robinson, DVM, age 79, formerly of Centralia, Kansas, passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at Belleville Health Care Center, Belleville, Kansas.
Jack was born on July 10, 1945, in Frankfort, Kansas, to Joseph Lowry and Martha Mae (Shearer) Robinson. He grew up in Frankfort along with his younger brother, Phil Robinson. Jack was involved in a variety of activities, but particularly enjoyed playing baseball, football, and basketball during his school years. In addition to playing sports, Jack enjoyed hunting and fishing with his family in Frankfort. Jack graduated from Frankfort High School in 1963. After graduation, Jack went to Kansas State University and graduated with a B.S. in Animal Sciences. From there, Jack continued his education at Kansas State to pursue his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. During this journey, Jack joined the United States Army where he was stationed in Fort Riley after his training.
It was at the College of Veterinary Medicine where Jack met his future bride, Mary Beth Kelley. Jack and Mary Beth would marry on May 20, 1972. They both graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in May of 1974. They started their veterinary career together in Wetmore, Kansas, in 1974. After one year, they moved to Centralia, Kansas, to start the Centralia Animal Clinic in partnership with his brother, Phil Robinson, DVM. They fell in love with the Centralia community and practiced there for 38 years until they retired in September of 2013.
In 1975, Jack and Mary Beth had their first son, Casey. Three years later, they welcomed their second son, Todd, into the world. Jack loved his boys, and you would always see them together "helping" dad out.
Jack poured his love of baseball into the Centralia community. He was a proud member of the Centralia Ball Association and worked hard to bring the new baseball field to Centralia. Jack coached every level of Centralia baseball at different times over the course of many years and he spent countless hours prepping the field for games.
Jack was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was known to never get a good night's sleep the night before pheasant/quail season opened because of his excitement. He enjoyed raising Brittany/English Setter bird dogs for over 45 years.
Jack enjoyed raising and showing registered Paint horses. He was active with the Centralia 4-H program. Jack loved sports, particularly Centralia and Kansas State athletics. He has been a K-State season ticket holder for nearly 40 years. Jack also enjoyed being the public address announcer for Centralia basketball for many years.
Jack's biggest joy later in his life was his four grandsons (Grant, Gavin, Jack, and Charlie). He was very proud of them and their biggest fan. Jack was known to be a very nice, hardworking man who had a good sense of humor, but his biggest accomplishments were being a great husband, father and grandfather.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Lowry and Martha Mae. He is survived by his wife, Mary Beth, Concordia, Kansas; sons, Todd Robinson (Leah), Concordia, Kansas, and Casey Robinson (Jenny), Fort Collins, Colorado; grandsons, Grant and Gavin Robinson, Concordia, Kansas, and Jack and Charlie Robinson, Ft. Collins, Colorado; brother, Dr. Phil Robinson, DVM (Vicki), Salina, Kansas, and many friends and other relatives.
A memorial service to celebrate Jack will be held Monday, November 25, at 11:00 AM at the Centralia Community Church with Pastor Deborah Hanes-Nelson and Pastor Ora Martindale officiating. The burial will be at the Frankfort Cemetery, Frankfort, Kansas.
The family suggests memorials to the Centralia Ball Association and the Concordia Panthers Trap Team in care of Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, P.O. Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901.
For online condolences please visit www.chaputbuoy.com.