James Bright “Jim” Robinson
James Bright “Jim” Robinson, 84, native of Chattanooga, died peacefully in his home July 17, 2014, after a long fight with declining health.
He was born August 5, 1929, to the late Alethea Couch and Harry C. Robinson.
Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Remington Robinson, and his brother, Daniel Ruffner Robinson.
Jim is survived by his three children, Carolyn “Lina” R. Hart (Charles), Frank R. Robinson and Lee C. Robinson (Carna) and six grandchildren, Sarah A. Hart, Alex N. Hart, James R Robinson, Katherine S. Robinson, Luke R. Robinson and Margaret L. Robinson.
Jim graduated from Bright School, Baylor School and Dartmouth College. After his Dartmouth graduation in 1951, during the Korean War, he volunteered as an Infantry Private and was later accepted into the Officers Candidate School at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, graduating number 1 in his class.
After marrying Carol Remington from Rochester, NY, in 1953, they followed his military career to Germany where he served as an officer in the 53rd Ordinance Group US Army Ordinance Group. He was honorably discharged in December 1954 as a 1st Lieutenant.
After they returned to Chattanooga, he began employment with the American Manufacturing Company which had been founded by his great-grandfather William Weber, a former Union Army Officer in the Civil War's 15th Indiana Infantry, and his grandfather James B. Robinson, after whom Jim was named. At American Manufacturing Company Jim served as president and CEO for 24 years until his retirement in 1994.
Invested in the Chattanooga community, Jim was extremely involved with many charitable, religious and civic concerns. He was on the board of the Chattanooga Manufacturers Association, eventually becoming its first president. He served on the Boards of Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, the United Way, the Chattanooga Community Foundation and AmSouth Bank of Tennessee. In 1957 he was one of the “Founding Fathers” and charter members of the Rivermont Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday School for 40 years, sang in the choir for 50 years and was later honored as an Elder Emeritus. He was also one of the founders of the North River YMCA and late Board Chairman. Being an avid runner and YMCA member he served on the Metropolitan YMCA Board and served a term as Chairman. He was also a longtime member of the Rotary Club, becoming its President in 1976-77. He was also Board member and later President of the Chattanooga Area Healthcare Coalition and the Wellness Council. He served as a Board member and later as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Forman School, Litchfield , CT, a school specializing in teaching children with perception problems like dyslexia. And he served on the Board of the Chattanooga Electric Power Board for 20 years, five of which he was its Chairman.
Besides jogging every day, except on Sundays, up into his 70's, Jim loved scuba diving with family or friends in places regionally and around the world. Starting in 1995 for about 10 years, he also dived for the Tennessee Aquarium, hand feeding fish in the Gulf and Nickajack Tanks. As a railroad buff, he became a Restoration Volunteer at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum for many years after his retirement.
Jim will long be remembered as a philanthropist, a pioneer, a man of faith, with a good sense of humor, strong character, who loved to sing, entertain and stay physically fit. He loved his family, his church, his friends and community. In his latter days, he was attended by caregivers from Amara Home Care and by Hospice of Chattanooga.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, July 24, at Rivermont Presbyterian Church. His internment will be at 12:30 p.m., Friday, July 25, at the National Cemetery with military honors; with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. at Rivermont Presbyterian Church the Rev. Clay Thomas officiating.
The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to Rivermont Presbyterian Church, Metropolitan YMCA, Baylor School, Tennessee Aquarium or the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
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Arrangements are by Wann Funeral Home & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo. (423) 821-7551