J. B. Robbins

J. B. (Jim) Robbins died peacefully, surrounded by his family at Central Washington Hospital on Saturday May 7th. Jim was born to W.L. & Gertrude Robbins, Sr. on May 17, 1924 in Thompson, Arkansas. He was the 6th child of 9. As a boy the family moved around as W.L. followed construction, working as a blacksmith and horseshoer. They lived in Arkansas, Kansas and Nebraska before moving to Disautel, Washington where Jim, Bill, Jake, Glynn and their dad all worked for Biles Coleman Lumber Co. Jim worked on the section crew for their railroad before he joined the Navy during World War ll. He was stationed on the USS Eugene E. Elmore, destroyer escort, for the duration of the war and saw action in the South Pacific and the North Atlantic. After the war Jim worked for various logging companies before going back to work for Biles Coleman. He met his future wife, Mary Jane in 1952 and they were married on Valentine's Day in 1953. In the 1960's he worked for the Paul Stout Ranch and the Nick Cain Orchard. During this time he was shoeing horses in the evenings and on the weekends throughout the Okanogan and Methow Valleys. In 1972 he started shoeing full time. He loved shoeing and the many good friends he made along the way. Jim and his son Marty would shoe together until he retired in 2007 at the age of 83. He also spent ten years plowing snow for the state highway dept., enjoying keeping the roads clear during snow storms. Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jake, Rueben, Glynn, Bill, Joe and Jerry; sister, Dixie Couch and two infant sisters. He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Mary Jane; his son Scott (Marty Kay); son, Marty (Sue) and daughter, Julie (Monty) Gariano; sister, Alice Thomson; sister-in-law Janice Ewer; special niece, Pat Robbins. Grandchildren, Andy and Amanda Robbins, Jess and Troy Gariano; great grandchildren, Olivia Robbins, Bryce Hansen, Evan and Aiden Gariano and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, donations may be to the Malott Fire Dept. or the charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held at the Malott Grange Hall on Saturday June 4th at 1:30, located at 54 B&O Road, Malott.

J. B. Robbins

May 17, 1924 - May 17, 2016