Carl Robinson was born the second oldest child of Zaphia and Fannie Mae Robinson on February 10, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in River Falls, AL.
Carl moved to Birmingham for work, where he met Sadie M. McPherson. They were married in 1952, with Sadie bringing a son into the marriage. Over the next eight years, Carl and Sadie had four more children. After struggling to find work and support his family, Carl was persuaded by his aunt Jenell Austin to move to San Diego, CA in 1959. He was fortunate to find work at Seaside Buick in La Jolla. After being in San Diego a short time and missing his family very much, his boss at Seaside Buick helped him get his family from Birmingham to San Diego. Over the next six years, Carl and Sadie had two more children.
Carl worked for Seaside Buick for almost seven years, and then applied for work at Rohr Corporation in Chula Vista. He spent thirty years at Rohr, where he retired in 1996. During his time at Rohr, he was part of the assembly crew that not only assembled airplane parts, but also parts for the Aerospace program. He retired as a Supervisor of his division.
After retiring, Carl got back into his passion. He always loved the game of golf, but with a family of seven he had to put it on the back burner. Once he retired he picked it up again, and played whenever possible. He became a regular league player and played in many tournaments with his golfing buddies. Most of the time, they would place in the winners bracket. His favorite format was playing in Scrambles. He also gave back to the game by helping with various youth programs throughout San Diego. He not only donated his time, but he also helped raise thousands of dollars to help the youth of San Diego learn the game of golf. Towards the end of his golfing career, he started his own Charity Golf Tournament to help support his church. All of the proceeds raised from the tournament went directly to Bethel Baptist Church. He ran his last Charity Golf Tournament in 2019.
Carl had such a passion for people. If you were in need of help, and Carl was aware, he would offer assistance in anyway necessary to help out. He loved people and showed it in so many different ways, it is hard to mention them all. He even opened a local cardroom, not so much to make money, but to provide a place where the neighborhood could gather and get away from the struggles of life and relax for a bit. He brought comfort to so many people during his retirement. It seemed he worked harder being retired than he did when he was employed. And, he put his family first as he cared for and guided all of his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren through this thing we call life.
Among many other attributes over the span of his life Carl Robinson became a loving partner to Carol Raboteau. Carl and Carol spent over forty years together as life partners. He assisted her in raising her three children, Rosalyn Raboteau, Cedric Raboteau, and Kevin Raboteau. He also assisted her in raising her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They enjoyed taking trips throughout the country and the Caribbean, as well as going to visit friends and family.
God called Carl to Heaven on May 17, 2020. He was preceded in death by parents Zaphia and Fannie Mae Robinson; wife Sadie Mae Robinson; son Glenn Hayward Robinson; and daughter Denise Carlene Robinson.
Carl leaves five sons to cherish his memories George D. McPherson, Eugene, OR, Dennis C. Robinson and Aubrey L. Robinson, of Las Vegas, NV, Daryl L. Robinson, of San Diego, and Dana Robinson of Portland, OR; grandchildren Alex Robinson, Shona Jones, Jenell N. Robinson, Dennis C. Robinson, Jr., Myisha Robinson, Melissa Robinson, Aubrey L. Robinson, Jr., Naomi Savage, D J Robinson, and Christopher Patton; twenty-eight great-grandchildren, and eleven great-great grandchildren.
Carl also leaves many friends that will miss him dearly. Those that he played golf with, friends from church, his cardroom buddies, and most of all, the friends he has known since first coming to San Diego. And many people he worked with over the years that became life long friends.
To view the memorial service, visit: https://www.facebook.com/PreferredCremationBurial/videos/
Tributes
Kendra Gaines wrote on May 27, 2020:
"Carl was truly one of the kindest, gentlest, most humble, and spiritual people I've ever had the pleasure of calling my friend. He was one of my ex-husband Tony's best friends and long-time golfing buddy, and he'll be sorely missed.I take comfort in knowing that he's with his Lord and his friends and family members who have gone before him. And he is no longer is pain. I know he'll be my guardian angel from up above, and that makes me smile.Rest easy, you dear man.Kendra"
Juanda wrote on May 26, 2020:
"You have Been in my life for 48 years, so hard to say goodbye "