Paul Thomas Robbins

Paul Thomas Robbins June16, 1927-May 27, 2013 85 years old Prescott, AZ Paul Robbins passed away on May 27, 2013 at he Good Samaritan Marley House Hospice in Prescott, AZ. Paul was born in Quitman, TX on June 16, 1927 to Dr.Virgil E. Robbins, Sr. and Ruby Lee Thomas Robbins. He graduated from Quitman High School where he played basketball for the Quitman High Bulldogs who were the 1943-44 District Champs. Paul’s mother, Ruby, passed away when he was 7 years old and Dr. Robbins raised his five children alone while maintaining a very busy private practice. When Paul was 12 he served as a personal page to Gov. Coke R. Stevenson in Austin, TX. He entered the Navy when he was 17 and was stationed in San Diego, CA aboard the USS Lexington. Paul attended East Texas State Teachers College in Commerce where he met the love of his life Colleta Coon from Garland, TX. They married on January 2, 1948 and lived in Quitman, Loredo, and Garland before moving to Blythe, CA in 1951. Paul farmed and raised cattle in Blythe for many years. He always loved horses, having had his first horse, Black Beauty, when he was 5. His daughters, Paula and Colleen, can remember their Daddy coming home to get them and their mom to go to match horse races at the old airport road in Blythe. He started training thoroughbred and quarter horses in the 50’s and over the next 50 years, raced in New Mexico, California, West Virginia, Michigan, and Nevada. His favorite track was always Prescott Downs where he won the Laddie Stakes two years in a row. An avid Phoenix Suns fan, Paul attended several games from the beginning of the Suns Club in 1968 through 2012. Paul enjoyed reading, all types of music, playing with his puppy “Jace”, socializing with friends and neighbors, and most of all, his daughters, three grandsons, and eight great grandchildren. He attended his grandsons’ and great grandchildren’s sporting events on a regular basis. He and his deceased wife, Colleta, were 4H supporters for many years Always there to help others in need, Paul will be sorely missed by his family and friends. He was extremely proud of being an American and strongly supported veterans associations. Paul was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Virgil E., Robert Lee “Doc” (killed in WWII in Anzio, Italy), sisters Jeanne Elizabeth, and Betty Jane. Survivors include: daughters Paula Robbins Gross and Colleen Robbins Pouquette of Prescott; grandsons: Matthew Paul Gross, Michael Josh (April) Gross, and Julius Luke (Shanell) Gross; great grandchildren: Jaycie, Isaiah, Bailey, Clay, Kory, Cole, Brady, and Justine; loyal niece, Kathy Kendrick; special nephew, Sam Hart, as well as numerous other loving nieces and nephews; in-laws: Jenny Hart, Sarah Coon, and Gene Simmons. A Celebration of Life Service in honor of Paul will be at 11am on Sunday, June 9, 2013 at the rodeo grounds in Prescott- the Mackin Bldg. Lunch to follow in the rock house (Freeman Bldg.) Private inurnment will be at the Prescott National Cemetery Columbarium Wall in Prescott, AZ. In Paul’s memory, family suggests contributions to Horses with Heart, P.O. Box 2427, Chino Valley, AZ 86323. Hampton Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.

Paul Thomas Robbins

June 16, 1927 - May 27, 2013