Earl Robinson

Earl Robinson was born on August 24th, 1927 and went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 28th, 2020. He was preceded in death by his parents Marshall "Doc" & Vera (Towry) Robinson. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Eugenia "Jeanie", along with his children, Bob Robinson (Kelley) and Linda King (Allen), all of Van Buren. He is also survived by his grandchildren Jennifer Belt (Josh) of Van Buren, Marshall Robinson (Samantha) of Van Buren, Dr. Allen King (Lexie) of Fort Smith, Teryl Robinson of Bentonville and great-grandchildren Evelyn, Amara, and Rose. Earl was a 1945 graduate of Van Buren High School and attended Arkansas Tech University and the University of Arkansas. He was a World War II veteran where he served in the US Navy. Earl was president of Robinson-Bell, Inc. a real estate firm in Van Buren. Earl loved his hometown of Van Buren and leaves behind a lasting legacy for the community. He was instrumental in organizing, establishing, and obtaining the grant funds for building the Van Buren Boys and Girls Club. He helped establish and build the Cedars Golf Course and several local residential areas. He served as United Way president and was a Lions Club member for 30 years. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Van Buren and served on every building committee for over 50 years, along with serving as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon, Thursday Night Choir, and was instrumental in organizing the Tornado Relief Ministry. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Ouachita Baptist University, the Board of People's Bank and Trust Company, and was a member of the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce Development Committee. Earl earned many awards and honors during his lifetime including: Optimist Club Outstanding Youth Work (1968), Ouachita Baptist University Purple and Gold Heart Award for Outstanding Work in Recruiting Students (1979), Westark Community College Professional Service Award (1992), Living Legends Award (1995), Iverson Riggs Citizen of the Year (2001), the Dr. Louis Peer Lifetime Achievement Award (2001), and was inducted into the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor (2003). Earl loved serving others and his greatest joy in life was his family and friends. Many have shared fond memories of "Earl the Pearl," but one thing that all can agree on is that he would do anything for anyone including giving you the very shirt off of his back. Earl wanted his family to remember that "it is what you do for others that counts" and he truly did live to serve others. Papaw, we love you and will always miss you. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example for all of us. We will spend the rest of our lives trying to live up to the selfless, Christ-like legacy that you left behind. Funeral Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Van Buren on Monday, November 2nd at 11 a.m. Services will be streamed online on the First Baptist Van Buren Facebook page. Graveside Service will immediately follow at Gracelawn Cemetery. Pallbearers are his son, son-in-law, and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers are: Gene Bell, Ronnie Capelle, Bill Thomas, Gary Deffenbaugh, Dan Deffenbaugh, Dr. Tony Flippin, David Moore, Dr. Ricky Douglas, Dr. Mike Hurst, Pat Kennedy, and Kenny Lindsey. Memorials can be made to: First Baptist Church Van Buren Building Fund, 945 Main Street, Van Buren, Ark., 72956; Van Buren Boys and Girls Club, 1400 City Park Road, Van Buren, Ark., 72956; or Ouachita Baptist University Football Scholarship, Attention: David Sharp, P.O. 3788, Arkadelphia, Ark., 71998.