Obituary of Thomas Morrill Robins

Thomas Morrill Robins, beloved husband, father, grandfather, life-long educator and friend passed away on September 18, 2023 in his home in Manvel, Texas.  He was 83 years old.

Born May 21, 1940 in Salina, Utah, Tom was the first-born child of George Brooks Robins and Arliene Lucille Averett.  As a true Salina Son, Tom was proud of his heritage and of his Mormon Pioneer ancestors who helped to establish the state of Utah. 

Tom was raised in the home of his paternal grandparents, Morrill T. Robins and Nola Jane Crane Robins, whom he adored and admired.  It was under their tutelage that Tom learned the value of hard work.  As a young boy, Tom worked at his grandfather’s cattle auction.  From that point on, Tom always had a job, or two or three.  Whether a shoeshine boy, a store clerk, a gas station attendant or a farm hand, Tom knew how to put in a hard day’s work.

Once in high school, Tom relocated to Orem, Utah, where he attended Lincoln High School and later Orem High.  Typical of teenage boys of the era, Tom loved souped up cars (his ride was a 1949 Mercury with a metallic Canyon Cordovan paint job and all the trimmings), sports, and rock and roll.  However, his one true love was the beautiful girl, Joyce Kitchen whom he met in Mr. Freckleton’s freshman English class.

Tom spent many hours working on the Merrill Kitchen farm in Orem.  While still a young teen, he one day proudly proclaimed to Mrs. Kitchen that he was going to marry her daughter.  He was informed he would have to wait awhile.  True to his word, Tom married Joyce Kitchen on October 12, 1957 in Orem, Utah surrounded by family and friends.  Their marriage was later solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Shortly after their marriage, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served his country.  He was assigned to the USS Estero based in Sasebo, Japan.  After 15 months in Japan, he was reassigned to Long Beach, California.  Tom was honorably discharged from active duty after three years of service.  Upon his completion of military service, Tom began work as a machinist and welder in Southern California. At this point in life, Tom had a desire to further his education.  With three children in tow and another on the way, Tom moved his family back to Utah, where he enrolled as a freshman at Brigham Young University (BYU).  In the summer of 1968, Tom graduated from BYU with a major in Spanish and a minor in English.  He would later go on to receive his master’s degree in Spanish and Educational Administration from Chapman University.

After graduating from BYU, Tom moved his family to Garden Grove, California where he accepted a teaching position with the Garden Grove Unified School District. His first assignment was at Irvine Intermediate School teaching English, Reading, and Metal Shop.  Tom would later transfer to Santiago High School where he taught Spanish and PE, and coached wrestling and football.  In 1976, after receiving his School Administrator Credential, Tom accepted the position of Assistant Principal at Pacifica High School.  He was then promoted to the position of Principal for Lake Continuation School and finally as Principal at Rancho Alamitos High School, where he worked until his retirement in June 2000. Tom was a highly respected teacher and administrator.  He touched many lives for good during his 32-year career with the Garden Grove Unified School District.

Though education was Tom’s primary career, he also picked up part-time positions to help support and provide for his family of five children.  Shortly after starting his first teaching assignment, Tom obtained a job with Disneyland.  His responsibility was to work with the characters and their costumes in the wardrobe department.  Affectionately referred to as “T.R.” by his coworkers, Tom was able to travel with the Disney characters on Walt Disney’s private jet for shows, appearances and parades (including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade) all over the U.S. and Canada.  He was well-loved and respected by all with whom he worked.  During the six years of his tenure at Disneyland, the characters voted to award Tom with the special recognition of “Honorary World-Famous Disney Character” on three separate occasions.  Never one to let grass grow under his feet, Tom also added a part-time job teaching English as a Second Language at Saddleback College and during the summer, he would spend long, hot days painting houses.

Although Tom retired from the Garden Grove Unified School District in 2000, he didn’t truly retire.  He picked up another position with Disneyland for a short time, started his own painting business (Robins Painting Service), and taught Spanish at Santa Ana College until the spring of 2016.

After almost 50 years as an educator, Tom decided to permanently retire. In the fall of 2016, Tom and his wife, Joyce moved from California to Manvel, Texas to be close to family.  To Tom, there was nothing he loved more than his family. 

Tom was a friend to all.  He had a quick wit and an amazing ear for music and language.  Tom loved to golf, ride dirt bikes (rode in the Barstow to Vegas race many times) and to travel.  He was a man of all trades and was a “get ‘er doner”.  Tom loved and honored his faith, his family, and his freedom.

Tom is survived by his wife, Joyce Kitchen Robins; his five children, Sherrie (Jeff) McCloud, Lori (Mark) Brunner, Thomas M. Robins, Jr., Kathryn (Scott) Adams, and Todd (Maria) Robins; 14 grandchildren, all of whom adore their “Poppy” and think they are his favorite; 26 great grandchildren; and half-siblings, Don Robins, Jack Robins, Carl Jensen, and Marie Box.

He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents, his siblings, Richard Rex Robins and Joanna Moody, half-sister, Jane Smith and great grandson, Liam Webb.