James "Jim" Edward Robinson, 82, of Abilene, passed away Wednesday, September 30, 2009. A memorial service is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Monday at the First Central Presbyterian Church with Dr. Cliff Stewart officiating, under the direction of North's Funeral Home, 242 Orange Street.

Mr. Robinson was born January 7, 1927 in Danville, Louisiana to Ruther and Ruby Robinson. He attended Texas A&M before enlisting in the Navy in 1944 at the age of seventeen. He received his Jurist Doctorate degree from Baylor School of Law in 1951. He married Cathy Wade on July 20, 1951 in Dallas, Texas. They moved to Abilene in 1955. He had a private legal practice from 1955 until the late 1990's.

He was President of the Abilene Bar Association from 1974 to 1975. He handled several cases in Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court. He was a student of history, philosophy, and religion.

He was an Elder at the First Central Presbyterian Church, a member of the Abilene Bar Association, and a member of the Texas Bar Association.

Mr. Robinson was preceded in death by his parents, one son, and a brother. He is survived by his wife, Cathy; one son, John Ruther Robinson of Fairview, Texas; a daughter, Janie Robinson Long of Austin, Texas; one granddaughter, Rebecca Cathryn Robinson; and four grandsons: Austin James Robinson, William Travis Long, Wade Tyler Long and Wesley Tucker Long.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that remembrances be sent to the First Central Presbyterian Church Food Pantry Program.