James Roger Robinson

James Roger Robinson went home to be with the Lord on July 6, 2022, in Copley, Ohio. Born December 23, 1935, in Greasy Creek, Kentucky, Roger, as he was known to his friends and family, moved to Akron, Ohio, after he graduated from Pikeville High School in 1953.

Roger attended the University of Akron where he played baseball. He was an avid sportsman and coached Little League Baseball and Youth Basketball. Roger was a salesman at Polsky's, Yeager's, Noble Shoes, Clarkins, and Home Centers. Roger's great success in sales was due to his charming personality. To know Roger was to love him! He was able to fulfill his dream of owning his own restaurant, which he named Amy's Place and where he employed many family members. After he sold Amy's Place, Roger managed other restaurants. He also worked for the Fraternal Order of Eagles, where he was a member, and eventually retired from WalMart in Fairlawn.

Roger had many interests but especially loved Elvis, the Kentucky Wildcats, and animals. His most recent pet was a tri-color Sheltie named Pepper, who adored his dad. Roger was a member of Little Flock Primitive Baptist Church in Akron. He loved to sing and dance and enjoyed taking his family back to visit his home state of Kentucky and the small town of Greasy Creek. Most of all, Roger was a man who was proud of his 9 children.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, James Harmon Robinson and Virginia (Compton) Robinson, brothers, Paul Robinson and Randall "Chuck" Robinson, brothers-in-law, John Wyatt, Bill Alexander, Gary Abbott, and Eugene Sharpey, daughter, Caryn Taylor, daughter-in-law, Rosa Robinson, granddaughter, Jennifer Robinson, and 2 great-grandchildren. Roger is survived by his sweetheart of 22 years, Marie Gumpl, sisters, Wanda Wyatt, Vivian Alexander, and Darlene Abbott, brother, Joe Hatten, sister-in-law, Nola Robinson, and children, James Roger "Skip" Robinson Jr, Michael Robinson, Jami Radosevic, Ginny (Duane) Meeker, Cindy (Wayne) Price, Randi (Mel Folk) Robinson, Amy (Steve) Patton, Chris (Shelley) Robinson, and son-in-law, Denny Taylor. Roger is also survived by 14 grandchildren, Erica, Janel, Amanda, Joshua, Caleb, DJ, Krista, Kayla, Joe, Levi, Dan, Kylie, Kaitlyn, and CJ, and 11 great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews, and a multitude of friends.

Calling hours will be held 5 pm to 7 pm, Monday, July 11, 2022 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, Ohio. The funeral will be held Tuesday, July 12 at 1pm at the funeral home officiated by Pastor Jeffrey Branham, with a procession to Hillside Memorial Park to follow.