Gerald Paul Robinson, resident of Westminster Village, Spanish Fort, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007.
He was born Dec. 22, 1920, in Ulman, Mo., graduated from the School of the Osage and received a bachelor of science degree from Southwest Missouri University and a master's degree in education administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
He served on the USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) in the Pacific in World War II. As a pilot in VT45, he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses and five Air Medals for his valor. His squadron helped sink the last Japanese battleship, the Yamato, off the coast of Iwo Jima.
He retired from the Baldwin County School system after 36 years as a principal, teacher, and coach of several sports; 26 years were spent as the principal of Daphne Middle School and Daphne Elementary School. He was the first president of the Daphne Lions Club and served as the Senior Warden of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Daphne, as well as lay reader and choir member.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Rochelle Hobbs; son, Gerald P. Robinson Jr. of Gulf Shores; two daughters, Regina (C.W.) Rogers of San Diego and Linnea (William B.) Israel of Birmingham; grandchildren, Lt. Cam (Tanya) Rogers, Greg (Melanie) Rogers, Sarah, Julia and Christi Israel; great-grandchildren, Morgan, Sean, and Aidan Rogers; brother, Bryant L. (Shirley) Robinson of Wellington, Kan.; numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26 at Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Daphne.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Gerald Paul Robinson Scholarship Fund, St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 28788 N. Main St., Daphne, AL 36526 or to the Alabama Juvenile Arthritis Initiative, The Arthritis Foundation, 2700 Highway 280 E., Suite 180, Birmingham, AL 35223.
Arrangements are by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Creamtory Inc., Fairhope.
