EDWARD HORACE ROBINSON, JR.

Edward Horace Robinson, Jr. was the second of eight children of Edward Horace Robinson, Sr. and Viola Brown Robinson. He was born on November 30, 1933 in Jacksonville, Florida. He received his early education at Oakland Elementary School and attended Matthew W. Gilbert Junior and Senior High School.  He was in Matthew W. Gilbert’s first graduating class, graduating on January 25, 1952.  

While in high school he participated in many activities, however, his favorite was football. He was also on the track team and sang in the Glee club. Upon graduation from high school, he received a scholarship to play football at Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College (currently: Florida Memorial University).  In 1954, he was named co-captain of the football team and they won the South Eastern Athletic Conference Championship.   

Edward graduated from Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College in May of 1956 with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Education. Immediately after graduation from college, he was drafted into the Army where he served two years of active duty and two years in the reserve. While in the Army he played football in the Special Services at Ft. Meade in Maryland.  After separation from the Army he returned to Jacksonville, Florida. 

On April 15, 1961, Edward married the love of his life, Vernell Rachel Watkins.  He was a faithful, loving, and devoted husband for over 59 years.  This union was further blessed with a son (Edward III) and a daughter (Stacye).

Edward continued his education by enrolling at Edward Waters College to get certified to teach Elementary Education and Health Education. He started his coaching career at James Weldon Johnson Junior High and won the Duval County Public School’s first All County Junior High Championship. This was a great accomplishment as this was the first integrated year of public school athletic programs. Due to a court order to start district wide bussing, he was transferred to Jean Ribault Senior High School. While teaching at Jean Ribault Senior High School, he served as Head Junior Varsity football coach, assistant varsity football coach and Head swimming coach. He led the Junior Varsity football team to a Division Championship and an All County Championship, while leading the swimming team to their first conference-swimming tournament.

After several years of coaching he had the opportunity to be a part of the administration and leadership team at Fort Caroline Junior High, Douglas Anderson Junior High, J.E.B Stuart Junior High and Southside Junior High. During his tenure as a school administrator, he earned his Masters of Education from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and Specialist in Education from Florida State University. He retired from Duval County Public Schools in June, 1992.

Edward was one of the original 57 proud founders of Century National Bank, formed in 1976.  Century National Bank was the first African American Bank in Northeast Florida.  It was located on Moncrief Road.  The bank was later purchased by Barnett Bank, which is now Bank of America.

Edward Horace Robinson Jr. attended Woodlawn Presbyterian Church, where he was a faithful member for over 48 years.  During his time at Woodlawn, he served on the trustee board and was a member of the Presbyterian Men Organization. 

He was a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.  He joined while at Florida Normal and Industrial Memorial College in Spring 1955 through the Gamma Theta Chapter colony (located on the campus of Bethune Cookman College).  He was also an active member of the Fla-Jax Club Inc. of Jacksonville, Florida, holding several positions throughout his membership.

Edward Horace Robinson Jr. leaves behind his wife of 59 beautiful years Vernell, two children Edward III (Sonja) and Stacye Lewis, and six grandchildren (Edward Robinson IV, Ashley Kemp, George Kemp IV, Charles Guyton, Christan Kirkland and Courtney Kirkland). He also survived by his sisters, Jacquelyn Brinkley, Vera Green, Saundra Morene and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.