World War II Veteran Paul Hilliard

Vietnam Veteran John Robinson

Born on Christmas Day in 1949 in Corsicana, Texas, John R. Robinson has spent a lifetime serving his country, his community and his family.

A 1968 graduate of Wortham High School, John was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970. After training as a rotary-wing helicopter repairman, he served in Vietnam with Alpha Company, 159th Aviation Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, where he worked on CH-47 Chinook helicopters. His military service also took him to Fort Hood, Germany and Fort Bragg before he completed his service in 1978.

John and his wife, Diana, married in 1971 and have built a wonderful family together, including two children, Michael and Melissa, and four grandchildren.

John’s commitment to service continued throughout his civilian life. He spent 17 years with Central Freight Lines, five years with Riley Transport and 16 years with the Texas Department of Transportation before retiring in 2014.

For more than four decades, John has given back to his community as a volunteer firefighter with the Retreat Fire Department. He has also volunteered with the American Red Cross for 11 years and is a charter member and current Secretary-Treasurer of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1009, the Navarro Rifles.

Since 1986, John has served as an alderman for the City of Retreat, demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to civic service.

Today, John and Diana enjoy retirement, traveling and spending time with their children and grandchildren. Yet John remains dedicated to helping others—a commitment that has defined his life and earned him the respect and gratitude of countless people throughout his community.

A soldier. A firefighter. A veteran. A public servant. A husband, father and grandfather. John R. Robinson is, above all, a man who has spent his life serving others.