James Franklin Robinson, age 94, our beloved father and a resident of Rio Rancho for the past 13 years, passed away peacefully on the morning of Saturday, June 27, 2026, at his home with his family by his side. Prior to moving to Rio Rancho to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Ray, Jim resided in Albuquerque for 60 years.

He is survived by his daughters, Sharon K. St. John and husband Ray of Rio Rancho, and Karen S. Leftige and husband Ron of Temecula, California; his grandchildren, Renee Capenos of Albuquerque, Ray (RJ) St. John II and wife Briana of Rio Rancho, Jason Leftige and wife Alyssa, Kirstin Moore and husband Ryan, and Jerod Leftige and wife Nichole, all of Orange County, California.

He is also survived by his great-grandchildren: Briseis, Ray (Tray) III, Eloy James, and Mason Gray St. John of Rio Rancho; Michael Capenos II of Albuquerque; and Harper and Mika Moore, Jordyn, Jovie, and Chloe Leftige of Orange County, California. He is further survived by his brothers, Charles (Charlie) Robinson Jr. of Lovington, New Mexico, and Billy Joe Robinson of Wylie, Texas, along with many nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife, Johnye "Fern" Robinson, who passed on October 1, 2011, just weeks before their 59th wedding anniversary on October 24. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Charles A. Robinson Sr. and Alta Robinson; his sisters, Charlotte Jackson and Sarah Pearson; and his sister-in-law, Dee Robinson.

Jim was born on July 29, 1931, in Fitzhugh, Oklahoma, just shy of his 95th birthday.

In April 2025, Jim was registered with Interim Home Health Care, where he was blessed with an exceptional caregiver, Audrey, who remained with him until his passing and became like family to us. In May 2026, he began receiving care from Interim Hospice. We are deeply grateful for his nurses, Kabrina and Hannah, whose compassion and support were truly a blessing during his final days.

Jim met Fern in 1952 while he was in the hospital and fell in love immediately-though she took a little more convincing.

Jim proudly served in the United States Air Force for several years before transitioning to the Air National Guard Unit at Kirtland Air Force Base. He was a member of the TACO Unit deployed to Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. During that time, his base was bombed on his birthday. After retiring from military service, he worked for many years with the Helweg and Farmer School Bus Company.

He was a devoted Mason and Shriner, dedicating many years of service to these organizations. He especially cherished his work with the Shriners Hospitals for Children and served as Potentate for Ballut Abyad Shriners in 1999. He remained active for as long as he was able and greatly missed it when he could no longer participate.

Jim, lovingly known as "PA," deeply loved his family. He saw his great-grandchildren from Ray (RJ) almost every day and enjoyed picking them up from school and taking them to McDonald's and Toys "R" Us. He shared a special bond with the younger children, especially Eloy, who at just three years old helped him with his oxygen machine and walker.

He cherished time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren in California and looked forward to visits with Kirstin and phone calls from Jerod and Jason.

Jim was a loving and caring man who was always there for friends and family in need.

A service will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at French Mortuary, 9300 Golf Course Road. A Masonic service will be conducted by PGM Jeffrey Jordan. Interment will follow at Sandia Memory Gardens, 9500 San Pedro NE. Pallbearers will be Kirstin A. Leftige, Briseis C. St. John, Ray J. St. John III (Tray), Michael Capenos, Lakota Douglass, and Troy St. John.

Friends may visit beginning at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. A reception will follow at Post 69, 9000 Fourth St. NW.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ballut Abyad Perpetual Fund.