James Leo Robertson

James Leo Roberston Aug 24, 1931 - Dec 28, 2014 James Leo Robertson entered into heaven on December 28, 2014 surrounded by his loving family at his home in Rio Dell. James was born to his parents David and Ophelia Robertson in Alfalfa, OK. During his childhood he was raised in Arkansas with his 13 brothers and sisters. Over the years he worked with his family picking cotton, peaches, tomatoes and many other types of produce. At the young age of 13, James drove his family to Southern California to find seasonal work picking various kinds of crops. The memories he had working with his family were some of his most cherished. James enlisted in the Army in 1952. He served in the KMAG division in the Korean War until his honorbale discharge in 1954. Shortly after he moved to Califronia where he worked for The Pacific Lumber Company. In July 1955 during Rodeo Week, James met the love of his life Darline Gardner. He always said meeting Darline was "love at first sight" and that after their first date he was "hooked" and from then on they were never apart. They loved dancing, laughing and just always being together. James and Darline raised their family together in Scotia, which they felt was safe after losing their home in Stafford in the 1964 Flood. During those years he met many wonderful people who became very dear friends. James enjoyed hunting with his dear friend Dan "Buck" McCollough. He took his family on many camping trips during hunting season, and loved taking them on vacations making so many wonderful memories. His happiest place to take his family to was back to Arkansas to visit with his brothers and sisters and their families. James retired from Pacific Lumber after 40 years. After retirement, Jim and Darline moved to Rio Dell where they made their house a home; loved watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren and enjoyed traveling to visit family in Oregon and Arkansas. James was a family man. He was known as "Papa" to everyone. There was nothing he loved more than being surrounded by his seven children and their families. He was the "rock" of our family and up until his dying day he made sure everyone and everything was well taken care of. He was sincere, compassionate and stubborn. His priority was keeping his big family together and close with one another. James and Darline were married on New Years Eve in 1957. His last wish was to surpise his beautiful wife in heaven, as he did for their 7th Anniversary after being separated during the 1964 Flood. James will be laid to rest with his wife on New Years Eve to spend their 57th Anniversary dancing the floors of heaven. James was survived by his sisters Alma Myrick, Pearl Marler (Ike) and Bertha Mae Warren from Arkansas and Ellen Terry of Fortuna; his daughters Jocene King (Tony), Janine Ross (Clark), Janelle Kemp (Tim), Jackie Robinson (Lee), Pam Hoath (Steve) and Beth Jones (Bob) and son Jim Robertson and his only daughter-in-law Collette. James was a devoted Papa to his grandchildren Trina Nevarez (Josh), Corinna Sisemore (Scott) Charity Green (Gino), Allison Bensen (Daniel), Heather Sykes (Marcus), Ashley Florvilus (Frank), Tyson Stone, Kyle Robinson, Brittany Robertson (Carlos), Sadie Robertson (Troy), Taylor Ross, Garrett Ross, Wendy Pitzner (Bill), J.M. Vance, Ted Hall, Rob Jones, and Becky Jones. James was a great-grandpa "Papa" to Caden and Calon Green, Jordan and Jaron Nevarez, Jasa and Drew Sisemore, Madisyn and Dublin Bensen, Jayden, Jordan and Jazmyn Sykes, Laila, Maliya and Trae Florvilus, Ava Lewis, Peyton, Courtney and William Pitzner and Devan and Dylan Nielsen. James was preceded in death by his sibilings Virgil Robertson, Joe Dinsmore Robertson, Cleaburne Robertson, Lois Heffley, Lola Smith, Irene Gardner, Marlene Jackson, and Isabella Robertson. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the exceptional care by Hospice of Humboldt, with a very special Thank You to Scott and Chris for taking such great care of our Father. Thank you to his doctors Dr. Rengel, Dr. Palmer, Dr. Allen, Dr. Dorman and Dr. Dunlap. The family would also like to acknowledge Tim and Janelle Kemp for the enourmous amount of love and support given to Dad. Gravesite Services will be held on Wednesday, December 31st at 10:00am at Ocean View Cemetery, 3975 Broadway Street, Eureka, Ca 95503. Viewing is at Gobles Fortuna Mortuary Tuesday, December 30th from 4:00-8:00pm. There will be a gathering immediately following the services at Jim's grandaughter Corinna Sisemore's home, 4302 Forest Hills Drive, Fortuna, Ca 95540.

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