Contributions to the tribute of Grady Lee Robinson

J

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

It has taken me a while to formulate what I wanted to say about Grady Lee. Since I was a little boy, I admired and lived in awe of him and hoped that one day I would be just like him. Grady Lee was eleven years older than I and he was my link to our family’s past. As I grew older, he and I would sit for hours talking about our family’s history. As we sat, he would share story after story about our grandfather and what our grandfather had told him about our grandmother. His dedication to remembering was a blessing. Many times we would meet at the Plunk Cemetery and clean the cemetery. While taking breaks he would walk through the cemetery and tell me stories of our family members who had been buried there. It was always a wonderful way of recognizing our connection to the past. One of my most memorable experiences took place when I took him over to the Myrtle Cemetery where we honored our ancestors who were the original Missouri Robinson and Taylor settlers. I was startled when he laid his hand on our great great grandfather’s headstone and said “don’t you wish you could ask them why they came to this area to settle.” I was taken aback because some years before I had taken my Uncle Ray to the cemetery and he said the same exact words. Grady Lee had told me several times that after he passed he wanted to be buried next to Grandpa. Now when I visit Plunk Cemetery, I will remember all the times we had together and when I lay my hand on his headstone I won’t have to wonder about the stories he would tell because he shared so many with me and for that I will always be grateful. I will always miss him but he holds a special place in my heart and the time spent together will always be precious to me.

J

Jim Labanosky posted a condolence

Thursday, November 21, 2024

I first me Grady when I was 10 years old and he was dating my sister. I don't recall her having any other boyfriends, so she must have liked what she saw because they were married later that year. I grew up in Granite City, Illinois, and I have many fond memories of our visits to Doniphan to see Grady and JoAnn. Grady gave me my first pocket knife. He took me horseback riding, and we went fishing on the Current River in his enormous wooden john boat. Several nights, he also let me tag along with some of his buddies to go coon hunting. This activity was not what I expected. No firearms were involved. Instead, they built a campfire, put the Grand Ole Opry on the radio, cracked some beer, and let their dogs out to listen to them run. One memorable occasion were getting ready to go back home and Grady tossed me the keys to his ancient pickup truck. He said "Here, you drive." I was 14 years old and had never driven a car. Somehow we made it safely home without ending up in a ditch on that winding gravel. So, Grady also gave me my first driving lesson. Now, 60 plus years later I offer these observations about my brother-in-law: He loved my sister, his many friends and family, and the many different animals he cared for over the years. He especially loved all children, and many still regard him as their surrogate grandpa. He was a unique person, and my life was made richer for having known him. I will miss him very much.

G

Glenna Robinson Robinett posted a symbolic gesture

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

So many memories I have when we were kids. As the song says there will be one more Ole dusty saddle hanging on the wall with lots of memories and lots of miles sitting in it. It can hang up like Dad's. You spent lots of days and nights in that saddle in all kinds of weather taking care of livestock. We spent lots of times together when we were growing up because it was different than kids now. No video games or telephones just our horses most of the time to keep us entertained and it was worth every minute. I wouldn't change a thing. Wish we could get on Star and Dolly and go for one more ride together. Love you so much brother.