St. George, Utah
–
RAY S. ROBINSON – BUS STOP GRANDPARENT,
passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 8, 2017, at his home in St. George, Utah. He was 90 years old.
Ray was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 10, 1926. Upon graduating from East High School, in Salt Lake City, he joined the army, where he served in World War II. He then attended the University of Utah and graduated with a BA in Business Management. In time, he took over the family business, Rio Grande Lumber, later named Rio Grande Building Products, located for over 50 years on 2nd South in Salt Lake City, Utah. Ray grew the business from a small lumber yard to a 2+ million dollar commercial hardware firm.
He was always involved in community service, which included United Cerebral Palsy, Chamber of Commerce, Salt Shakers, American Cancer Society and has spent many years as an active member of the Rotary Club. Besides the many noteworthy services of the Rotary Ray was involved in, he and his wife, Ruby, spent over ten years hosting and overseeing foreign exchange students.
Among his many honors and accomplishments were founding president of the Door and Hardware Institute (now international), advisor to President Reagan as a member of the Small Business Economics Committee, Chair of the Utah State Small Business Advisory, Utah Small Business Person of the Year, Utah Outstanding Rotarian of the Year.
After Ray and Ruby retired and moved to St. George in 1999, they continued to stay active in the community, but one of their favorite self-appointed past times was to meet the children at the bus stop every morning. Several years into this delightful past-time, "The Spectrum" (local newspaper) gave them the title, "Bus Stop Grandparents." Ray always wanted Ruby at his side and so they were seldom seen one without the other.
Ray has been preceded in death by his parents, Sherman and Evelyn Robinson; daughter Linda, and son, Kelly. He is survived by his dear wife, Ruby, and 7 children: Glenda (Jack), Bonnie, Laurie (Bob), Mike (Janet), TJ (Jennifer), Ray (Tammy) and Pat (Karen), 26 grandchildren, 82 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.
His hobbies were golf, music, wood working and camping/outdoor activities. Ray loved his family and always made time for each of them. He was loved by all and will be greatly missed by those who loved him so very very much!
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 12, 2017, at 2:00 p.m. at the Bloomington 7th Ward Chapel, 3519 Manzanita Rd., St. George, Utah. A visitation will be prior to services from 12:30-1:45 p.m. at the church. Interment will be in the Tonaquint Cemetery.
