AFCM Jerry F. Robertson USN (Ret) VP-4 1966 – 1970
Jerry Francis “Robbie” Robertson, 79, passed away peacefully in his home in Flower Mound, Texas, after a lengthy and courageous battle with esophageal cancer.
Robbie was born to Francis Marion Robertson and Thelma Killingsworth on May 12, 1944, in Lubbock, Texas. However, he was raised by his loving stepmother, Lura Lavenia Robertson.
In 1962, after graduating from Grant Union High School in Sacramento, California, Robbie joined the United States Navy, where he attended Recruit Training School in San Diego.
He met the love of his life, Nellie Marie Garcia, while at his first duty station in El Centro, California, at the Naval Parachute Facility. They were married on September 15, 1966, before moving to his next duty station with Patrol Squadron Three-One in Moffett Field, California, where he attended Flight Engineer School and graduated second in his class.
They then moved to Barbers Point, Hawaii, where he was stationed with Patrol Squadron Four from January 1966 to June 1970, serving in Vietnam from 1968-1969. In Hawaii, they welcomed their daughter, Samantha Kay, in February 1967.
In July 1970, he was stationed at the Naval Air Test Center in Patuxent River, Maryland, where the family would reside until April 1975. Robbie and Nellie endured the loss of two sons at birth in 1970 and 1971. In 1972, Robbie adopted Nellie’s son, Arthur Steven, but was his loving father since 1966.
Robbie logged thousands of hours flying the P-3 Orion on many classified missions while serving with Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two from May 1975-March of 1978 in Rota, Spain.
While living in Dale City, Virginia, he served in the Naval Personnel Program at the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
He took his family back to Texas for his final duty station and worked at the Naval Military Command Center in Dallas from March 1981 to July 1987, where he joined the Navy Fleet Reserve. During this time, he enjoyed taking his jet boat to Lake Lewisville every chance he got.
Robbie retired from the Navy after a successful career as a Master Chief Petty Officer (E-9). While serving, he was recognized for his outstanding service to his country. He was awarded the following awards: Naval Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation (3x), Good Conduct Medal (5x), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (2x), Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Color (3rd Award)) and the Navy Commendation Medal.
Being the hardworking man he was, Robbie began a second career for Lockheed Martin in 1987 in Palmdale, California, where he started flying P-3s. He began testing the planes off the manufacturing line, traveled to Portugal to teach others to fly, and occasionally flew LM executives in the corporate jet. He later relocated to Marietta, Georgia, where he flew test flights of the C-130 aircraft fresh from the production line.
After he retired from Lockheed Martin, he and Nellie moved to Lake Cities, Florida, where he worked as a consultant for Timco Aviation until he retired again in 2009. They then moved to The Villages, Florida, where they embraced and enjoyed full retirement. Robbie and Nellie made countless more friends in the Bonita Springs Neighborhood and especially loved taking multiple cruises every year to various ports with their best friends. He loved to barbecue steaks every Friday night and enjoy a martini (with three olives) on the Lenai, watching the sunset and listening to his favorite, “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.
He was preceded in death by parents Francis Marion Robertson, Lura Lavenia Robertson, Thelma Killingsworth Ray; sons Danny Clifford Robertson, Mark Allen Robertson, Arthur Steven Robertson; brother, Johnny Glenn Robertson; and brother-in-law, Jim Simmons.
Robbie is survived by his wife, Nellie Robertson; daughter, Samantha, and son-in-law, Scott Fenner (Flower Mound, TX); daughter-in-law, Charlene Robertson (Colonial Beach, VA); sister-in-law, Darlene Robertson (Decatur, TX); Brother Larry and sister-in-law Joella Robertson (Corinth, TX), Sister Sharon Simmons (Lubbock, TX), Brother Mark Robertson and brother-in-law William “Bill” Justice (Dallas, TX). Grandchildren: Mandy Williams (Frank; Fredericksburg, VA), Cheyenne Weilbacher (Joshua; San Clemente, CA), Jack Dempsey Fenner II (Vermillion, SD), Sheridan Fenner (Spearfish, SD). Great-granddaughters: Aaliyah and Brielle Williams, and great-grandson, Denver James Weilbacher. Nieces and Nephews: John Robertson Jr., Rhonda Climer, Trey and Taylor Robertson, Amy Riley, and Zachary Simmons.
He will be remembered for his hospitality, immense kindness, and generosity to all that entered his home. He was enormously proud of his family and the life he and Nellie built.
Nellie and Samantha invite you to an informal reception to share stories and laughter as we remember and celebrate Robbie’s life on Saturday, June 24, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Riverwalk Flats Activity Room (second floor) located at 4650 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound, Texas.
Robbie will later be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
The family would like to sincerely thank Faith Presbyterian Hospice, specifically Michelle, Rhonda and Tiggy, and Chaplain Tim, for the love, compassion, and kindness they have provided to our family.
https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/plano-tx/jerry-robertson-11334764—
Larry Hames AVCM USN (Ret)
VP-4 1975 – 1978
VP-4 Veterans Assn Database Manager
database@vp4association.com
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