James L Robins (Plainview)

James L. “Cotton” Robins passed away at his home in New Braunfels, Texas on January 22, 2006, at the age of 84. He was born October 10, 1921, in Centrahoma, Oklahoma. He was one of six children of Oscar and Bertie Landrith Robins. He graduated from high school in Olney, Texas and subsequently attended Centenary College of Shreveport, Louisiana, where he played both football and basketball as a scholarship recipient. During his early years at Centenary, he met his sweetheart, Betty Jane Autrey; they were married in 1944. His college studies were interrupted when he volunteered for the US Army Air Force, and after receiving his commission and pilot’s wings, joined the 8th Air Force, 388th Bombardment Group. As a B-17 pilot, he flew 36 combat missions over Hitler’s Germany. Resuming his studies after World War II, he graduated from Centenary College (BA, BS, 1946) and from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (MD, 1951). A fellow in the Academy of Family Practice, Dr. Robins was dedicated to his patients and their families in the private practice of medicine for 35 years: 10 years in Belcher, Louisiana and 25 years in Plainview, Texas. He spent an additional 11 years sharing his expertise and practical medical experience with young physicians in his role as Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Science Center, Lubbock, Texas and was integral to the University’s Community Clinic in Shallowater, Texas. He retired from medicine in 1992. Golf was his leisure passion for many years. After retirement, creative writing competed for the passion. He wrote prose, poetry and stories about his early memories as a boy during the Great Depression. Dr. Robins was a member of Oakwood Baptist Church, Texas Medical Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Daedalians, and Scottish Rite Masonry. Preceded in death by his son and namesake, James Lewis Robins II and by his brothers Foy Clay and Lloyd Robins. He is survived by his wife Betty Robins; his son Tom Robins and wife Stacey of New Braunfels; two daughters Chere and husband Michael Stricklin of Teresina, Brazil and Carla and husband Mitch Voelker of Dallas; eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Surviving siblings are: one sister Betty Jo Matteson and husband Frank of Sutton, Nebraska; one brother Jerry Robins and wife Bobby of Georgetown; one aunt Virginia Landrith Bruton and her husband Nelson of Throckmorton, Texas; many nieces and nephews. Memorial Services will be held at Oakwood Baptist Church, New Braunfels, Texas on Saturday, February 4, at 2:00 p.m. A private graveside service was held earlier at Parklawn Memorial Gardens by Kornerstone Funeral Directors. Suggested memorial are to the mercies fund at Oakwood Baptist Church or Hope Hospice, New Braunfels, Texas.