SHELBY- Our dad, Randy William Robbins was born December 7th, 1954, in Springfield, Ohio, but he grew up down the road in South Charleston. He graduated from Southeastern High School in 1974 before enlisting in the military the following year. Staff Sergeant Randy Robbins proudly served 13 ½ years in the USAF ANGUS and was a lifetime AMVETS member. Of all of our dad’s personal and professional achievements, the one he was most proud of was reaching the rank of AMVETS State Commander of North Carolina. He spent, literally, his entire adult life serving the Veterans of this great nation. From the time he joined in 1975 until the day of his passing, he served the men and women who served and protected us. He absolutely loved and looked forward to every DEC meeting and convention. Dad spearheaded several community relief programs that helped victims of natural disasters in NC, TN, KY and OH.

As far back as I can remember, he’s been selflessly working with charities and outreaches helping those less fortunate. He got the nickname “Rudy” back in the early 80’s from a kid at an MD telethon who couldn’t pronounce “Randy.” He was most himself when he was helping others, and he did so with his time, sweat, talent, experience, money, brain and heart. He meant it when he told folks, “If there’s anything I can do to help, I will.” And he did.

While his work with and on behalf of U.S. Veterans was exceptionally important to him, his family was paramount. We, his sons: Jarrod William Robbins, James Matthew Robbins and Jessie Lee Robbins, were the loves of his life. He cared about anything we cared about even when he didn’t understand or agree with it. He always made sure that we knew how much he loved and missed us. He was always there for us when we knocked or called and even when we didn’t. I don’t think I ever did anything risky or crazy without first calling Dad to ask how he would do it. He was a walking manual on seemingly everything. But if there was ever a topic that was out of his scope of knowledge or experience, then he always offered the same soothing words, words I’ve clung to this terrible week, “It’ll all be ok, son.” His memory, love and lessons will live on through us, our mother Sandy as well as his beloved grandchildren Henry William (Lia,) Nevaeh, Magnus, Skyla and Layla. Papaw loves you.

After retiring from the roofing company he founded, TIME Roofing (This Is My Experience) in 2003, he went on to work at Dole until he retired in 2016. The hardest worker I’ve ever met continued to pick up side jobs while working on his own little farm until his passing in Shelby, NC on August 3rd, 2026.

Randy was proceeded in death by his parents, mother Louise, who he absolutely adored, and Charles. He also had to say goodbye to oldest brother, Richard (Libby,) and last year to brother Gary. While he did not get the chance to meet her in person, he mourned his baby sister, Joyce Marie, who gained her wings before he was born. Dad cherished his nieces and nephews. It broke his heart every time he had to say goodbye to one: Rich, Scott, Todd and Tina, great nephews Travis and Eric and great niece Sydney, but he always carried them with him wherever he went. He is survived by nephew Chris (Stephanie,) brother Dave (Marilyn,) nieces Dawn (Kirk,) Marge (Mike) and nephew David (Kathy,) brother Ron (Jacquie), nephews Ronnie (Barb,) Bunky (Michelle) and Shawn, nephew Josh (Cheri) and niece Michelle and their mother Marcella, sister Sue, niece Jeanne and nephew James and their father Jake, brother Mike (Phyllis) and nephew Gabe, sister Delores and niece Amy (Shane,) brother Dwain, Andrea and her three sons Jade, Damon and Kieth, and every single one of his great and great great nieces and nephews. Though he is with God now, he will ALWAYS be with us as well.

We will have two celebrations of life – Shelby, NC AMVETS Post 42 on Saturday, August 15th at 4pm followed by one in Ohio that we are still planning. All are welcome to both. In lieu of flowers, please find ways to support your local Veterans.

Services are entrusted to Clay-Barnette Funeral Home & Aquamation Center www.claybarnette.com