Mr. Howard McKinley Robinson Sr. submitted himself to the will of God on April 27, 2016 in Canton, Ohio at the age of 86. He is survived by his children whom he referred to as his “Full House”, Howard (Denise) Robinson Jr., Kathy (Gary) Perrin, Anita (Rasheed) Robinson-Muhammad, Robbie (Krystal) Robinson, foster Child, Rinaldo Barkley Jr. and special daughter Lynette Knight Johnson. His loving sister Marion Kelly, Aunt Jean Mayle, sister in law Frances Barkley, nephew Rinaldo Barkley Sr., and nieces Terri-lae (Rhoda) Tuck, and Sheila Bennett all of Canton, Ohio.
   Howard Sr. was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years; Eula (Sue) Robinson, daughter Sandra Jo Robinson, mother Mary Francis Robinson, father Samuel Robinson, foster father Joe Furtado, Grandmother Mary Broy, Uncles Ernest, Jim, and Junior Broy, Aunts Roberta Gardner and Mable Mack , Father in law Jasper Barkley Sr., Brothers in law Jasper Barkley Jr. and John Kelley and foster son Steven Strong.  
Howard Sr. was born on November 29, 1929 in Canton, Ohio to Samuel and Mary Francis Robinson. He was a lifetime resident of Canton Ohio for 83 years.
   Howard Sr. graduated from Canton McKinley High School, and then went on to study Mechanical Technology at The American Technical Institute where he obtained an Associates Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
   Howard Sr. “is” a proud Marine Corp Veteran where he ranked as a Corporal serving in the Korean Conflict. He attended the United States Marine Corp Ordinance School in Quantico Va. for the Infantry Weapons Armors Course, and became the company Armorer. During his military service he was awarded the Medal of National Defense Service, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Sharpshooter Medal and received the Presidential Unit Citation. Upon completion of his military career he became an employee of the Timken Roller Bearing Company, and started his own office cleaning business. While an employee with the Timken Company, he became the Product Engineering Plant’s first Black Mechanical Engineer. He was later promoted to Department Supervisor of the Gambrinus plant from which he retired after 38 years. Upon retiring from the Timken Company he became casually employed as an Engineer at Quick Draft, and Hercules Engines.
   Howard Sr. was a community activist that took interest in many facets of the Canton community. He was the first African American appointed to the Stark County Regional Planning Committee by the late Mayor Stanley Cmich of which he served 30 years. During this time he became the first African American to be elected President of the Regional Planning Committee. Howard Sr. was a strong advocate of, and served as Finance Chairman for the development of the South East Community Center, which was later, renamed the Peel Coleman Community Center.  Howard was a member of the Chamber of Commerce Toastmasters Organization during which he received the high honor of “Toastmaster’s Award”. He was a past member, and Trustee of the Canton Negro Old-timer’s Athletics Association.  He was a 9-year member, and finance officer of the community’s oldest black organization the American Legion Post 204, which originated back in 1927 to help displaced veterans. Howard Sr. also served as a member of the Canton Black United Fund Organization that aimed to collect funds from the black community and use it to support black development, and the city’s elderly. He took great pride in his membership at Bethel C.M.E. Church where he has held many positions, including the offices of Trusteeship and Stewardship.
Not only did Howard and his Wife Eula (Sue) Robinson take the upbringing of their children to heart. They also were active in the upbringing of children in the community. Mr. Howard Robinson Sr. fostered many teens, taking them into his home. As a way of keeping them busy, and out of trouble he constructed a basketball court and play area in his backyard for them. He also remodeled his basement so that they could have dances and prepare for community talent shows. Many of Canton’s successful athletes developed their abilities in his backyard. He volunteered as a math tutor to help low performing students that attended Washington Elementary School. For many years he repaired discarded bicycles for children of families who could not afford them. He provided bicycles for well over 5000 youth and adults in our community for little or no cost at all.  
All the while Howard Robinson Sr. was performing community service, and working to support his family, he still made time to enhance the lives of his children. He was the first and only African American to engineer, build and detail Soap Box Derby Race Cars. His youngest son Robbie drove this car that set the record for the fastest time ever in New Philadelphia, in 1973, winning 1st place in Stark County. This car was built after the car that set the record for Stark County’s fastest time ever, which was driven by his eldest son Howard Jr. Howard Sr. was the proud father of Canton McKinley Seniors Head Majorette, Anita for which he constructed a practice area that enabled her to practice day and night. His son Howard Jr. is a prominent minister in the Canton community, who is active in the city’s efforts to combat violence. His son Robbie is the President of the Brothers Organization and a self-employed landscaper.  Daughter Anita is a graduate of the University of Akron’s Bachelors of Science Program, and a self employed Health Information Technology Consultant. Kathy decided to follow his footsteps and become a successful Timken Company Journey-Women. His late daughter Sandra was a successful self employed STNA and certified Real-estate consultant. He directed his children to be accomplished and helped orchestrate their success.
Howard stressed the importance of education and self-sustenance throughout the upbringing of his children. It is obvious that this belief continues to be the foundation of his legacy as he is the proud grandfather of eight successful grandchildren. Jerald Robinson I, a Tiffin University graduate who holds a Bachelor in Business Management, is a Timken Co Employee, and Group Home Operator. Kimberly Robinson Herriot is a licensed group home operator, and Foster Care Provider. Troy Robinson Sr. whom served in the U.S. Army, is currently a High School Basketball Coach. Frank McLeod, a graduate of Youngstown State University Bachelors of Science Criminal Justice Program is a Superintendent of Canton City Schools Security and McKinley Sr. High Football Coach. Gary Perrin Jr. is a Certified Journeyman in Construction, and has been recognized as one of Canton’s youngest successful entrepreneurs for his Cleaning Service. His granddaughter Amber Robinson is a graduate of Walsh College and self-employed Nutrition Enhancement Consultant.  Granddaughter Ashley Robinson, a University of Dayton graduate holds a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and is a mentor to young children. Howard’s youngest grandchild, Shahkila Robinson Daniels, is Stark County’s first Recipient of the Bill Gates Academic Scholarship, a graduate of Penn State University’s College of Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences, and will be attending Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine.  All of them cite their grandfather’s educational values as the force behind their success. Howard also has 18 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren who are living up to the educational standards he set as the main ingredient to achieving real freedom and guaranteed success.

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