George Rex Robison

“The enemies of freedom (if there are any in heaven) are shaking in their boots, because heaven just gained another U.S. Marine”

Lt. Col. George Rex Robison, USMC Ret., passed away on May 26, 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona, surrounded by his loving family.

Although the labor began in Wyoming, Rex was born in Utah on July 22, 1937, to Everett and Camilla (Thornley) Robison. After graduating from Davis High, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Seabees for 4 ½ years. After being honorably discharged he attended Weber State College. While a full-time student, he was a dual sport athlete, earning All-Conference in both football and baseball, and earning his Bachelor’s degree.

He married the love of his life, Carol Jean Dawson, on July 1, 1961, and their marriage was later solemnized in the LDS Temple. After graduation, Rex was called to serve his country once again; he attended Officer Candidacy school and was commissioned as an Officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Rex completed two tours in Vietnam, receiving Purple Hearts on both occasions. He had a total of 22 years of active duty military service and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with Combat Valor, multiple Purple Heart Medals, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Valor, Army Commendation Medal with Combat Valor, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame and Silver Star, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. He took on each new duty assignment as an adventure, he was an exemplary Officer, loving those he led, and they had an undying loyalty to him. While in active duty, he also attained a Master’s degree.

Rex moved his family to Jackson, Wyoming as he prepared to retire from the Marine Corps. He spent his time there hunting, fishing and enjoying the great outdoors surrounded by the Tetons. After some years back in Wyoming, he was once again drawn back to serve.

He was offered a job in Grants, New Mexico as the lead Marine Corps JROTC instructor, which he enjoyed for two years. He was then offered a position at Tolleson High School, in Arizona, as the lead Marine JROTC instructor where he focused his time and energy mentoring and leading high school students. He had a big impact on his students, during his 25 years leading ROTC students, numerous students moved on to military academies and military service. Although he retired at the age of 73, he was still in contact with many of his former students.

Throughout Rex’s life, his love of his family was the most important thing to him. Anyone who met him got to hear about his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments, never his own. But the thing he cherished most was his relationship with his wife, Carol. It was clear by watching him that she was love of his life. He would tell anyone that would listen to him how beautiful she was, and he often mentioned how much he appreciated her taking care of their five children when he was away. They were close to celebrating 59 years of marriage, and they were inseparable in their retirement years.

Rex loved his family and his country, followed closely by history of the American West, sports, rodeo, hunting, and fishing. He rodeoed into his 40’s, went hunting for the last time at the age of 82 with his two sons in the Kaibab in Arizona, and never stopped living by the cowboy code. He still loved making trips to fish at Lee’s Ferry, and the Snake River.

Along with his wife Carol, he leaves behind two sons – Russell (Robin), and Rod Robison, and three daughters - Shelly (Joe) McNeal, Christine (Mark) Sargent, and Angela (Neal) Pallante; as well as ten grandchildren – Chance (Lauren) Robison, Kayla (Eddie) Trevino, Jessica and Jayden Robison, Ryan (Taylor) and Rustin Robison, Stoan and Chloe McNeal, Miles Robison, and Penelope Pallante; and five great-grandchildren – Brantley, Jestin, Trexler, Everett, and Russell, to continue the good fight. He is also survived by a brother, Bert Robison, and a sister, Mary Robison Flint, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents – Everett and Camilla Robison, mother-in-law – Eva Jensen, father-in-law – Elwood Dawson, one brother – Russell Robison, and one great-grandson – Dawson Robison.

Rex has been interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. Formal services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family respectfully requests that you donate to your favorite charity.

Richardson Funeral Home, Tempe, Arizona is compassionately serving the Robison family.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of George Robison, please visit our flower store.