John Harold Robinson

JOHN HAROLD ROBINSON, 74, of Little Rock, passed from this life Feb. 6, 2014. He was a basketball player at Central High School from 1954-1957, State Teachers' College (now the University of Central Arkansas) through 1961, and played pro basketball for the Long Beach Chiefs. He was a basketball coach until 1987 at many schools, among them Odessa Permian in Texas, Blytheville, Little Rock Mills, and Memphis State University. He served as an administrator at Central High School, other schools in the Little Rock School District, Cabot High School, and at two junior high schools. John is survived by his wife, Kristie Carson Robinson; his daughter, Sherri Robinson Schmid and her husband Larry Schmid of Bartlett Tenn.; and his sons, Scott Carson Hampton of Fort Carson, Colo. and Thomas Hampton and Thomas' wife, Kristine Hazzard Hampton of Mount Juliet, Tenn. He is also survived by a daughter, Lisa Kay Robinson of Stuttgart; son, John H. Robinson of Lake Nona, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Jordan DuSang and Justin Dusang of Bartlett, Elizabeth Hampton of Mount Juliet Tenn., Brittany Robinson of San Diego, Calif., and Alexis Robinson of Lake Nona, Fla. He also leaves a great grandchild. John received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master's Degree from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, with 15 or more hours from the same institution. He once played one-on-one with Jerry West, who told John, "I can't guard you." He still holds many records at the University of Central Arkansas. As a guard, he was a dominant inside/outside threat. John was a prolific scorer, scoring 1,551 points over the course of his career. He helped lead the team to winning records each season, and he won recognition as Most Valued by his teammates and the players of his conference. He was quick to congratulate his teammates and always gave credit to another player if possible. A lifelong friend, Mike McGibbony, stated "He made himself…no one did it, they coached him, but he made himself the great basketball player he was, and he made himself successful in every aspect of his life." A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, Feb. 10, 2014 at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, 20900 Chenal Pkwy, Little Rock, Ark. 72223, phone: (501)821-1311. The Reverend Mary Vano will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2–4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 9 at Greystone Country Club, 57 Greystone Boulevard, Cabot, Ark. 72023, phone: (501) 941-4444. Arrangements by Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, phone: (501)224-8300. The family suggests memorials be sent to Baptist Health Hospice, 11900 Colonel Glenn Road, Suite 2300 Little Rock, Ark. 72110, phone: (501) 202-7474 or to St. Margaret's Episcopal Church. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.