Maurice Robbins

Maurice Robbins, 86, of Highlands, Texas, slipped away into Jesus’s loving arms with his family by his side on Sunday, March 14, 2021. He was born on May 8, 1934, in Elkhart, Texas, to the late Admiral Dewey Robbins and Gladys Franks Robbins. On June 29, 1959, Maurice married the love of his life Jennie Vidano, where they spent the next 44 years together.  Maurice was a faithful member of 1st Baptist Church of Highlands.

Maurice was a person who pursued many interests, some of which included his love for fishing, hunting, doing wood working and volunteering. He was a very good carpenter, who could build most anything. If one were asked, they would say that Maurice was a soft spoken gentle giant.  He was a selfless man who was willing volunteer to help anyone in need. Maurice found joy in serving his Lord and taking care of the church grounds. He was a hard-working man who instilled that value in his family.

Maurice served our country from 1955-1959, on the USS Coolbaugh where he learned to become an electrician.

Maurice only had a 7th grade education, but worked hard as an electrician at Warren Petroleum as a contractor making $1.07 an hour. When he became an employee for Warren he made $.99 an hour. Maurice worked hard and moved up the ladder where he became Plant Manager of Warren Petroleum, where he remained from 1955 until 1984. He left Warren and went to work at Chevron Pipeline from 1984 through 1986, where he was the Superintendent of the Pipeline from Mont Belvieu all the way to Beaumont. He retired in 1986 from Chevron then worked for Oilfield Fabricating and Machinery for several years selling valves.

When his grandson Ryan was a 9th grader in high school, he had to write a paper about who he wanted to be on a stranded island with him. Ryan wrote that he wanted his Papa because there was nothing that his Papa could not do and that they would survive.

Maurice volunteered at the Highlands Volunteer Fire Department from 1960 until 1980. He was Fireman of the year in 1969. He also was on the Pumper Team where he pulled the water hose.

Maurice was a member of the Highlands Masonic Lodge and Baytown Shrine Club. He along with his sidekick Archie Bickley sold between 200-300 brickets each year to support the Lodge’s charities.

In 2003, Maurice and Jennie were awarded the community builders award for the community involvement in Highlands for many years. In February of 2012, he received the Golden Trough Award for his community involvement and friendship to the people of Highlands. Maurice was a member of the Highlands Water Board from December1981- May 2012 where he served as President of the Water Board for many years. In 2011, he was nominated as an Unsung Hero by The Baytown Sun.

Maurice coached baseball at Highlands Little League for many years and he helped put up the 1st set of lights up at the park in the late 1960’s early 1970’s.

Maurice was a loving father, grandfather, cousin, uncle and friend to many who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Euguenia Vidano Robbins, his son Kenneth Maurice Robbins, his grandson Ryan David Dunlop, his siblings Loretta Hanks, James, Charles, Don, and Billy Robbins, his special friend Vincent Hooper. He leaves behind to cherish his loving memory his beloved daughter Kathryn Dunlop of Highlands, Texas; his grandson Zachary Kenneth Dunlop of Highlands, Texas; his special granddaughter Rachel Dunlop Falconi and husband Nino of Mont Belvieu, Texas; his special grandchildren Jake Brewer and Amy Brewer Ringler; his cousin Orleas Brown of Palestine, Texas; his brother in law Fred McDonald of Panama City, Florida; his sister in law Jessica Robbins of Channelview, Texas; his 14 nieces, nephews and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Mark Clamon, Stan Cargill, Larry Pittman, Kent Erwin, Brent Perry, and Scott Newport. Honorary Pallbearers will be Vann Hooper, Raymond Balcerowicz, Damian Nichols and Shawn Robbins.

“A special thank you to my cousin, Donna Robbins for helping take care of my dad for the past few years allowing me to do various activities and giving me a much needed break. When you go out in the world today please do a kind deed for someone and try to make a difference in a person’s life. Dad loved helping people...” Kathryn

In lieu of flowers, please donate to 1st Baptist Highlands Church to the food pantry, Backpack Buddies or the Youth Ministry for children to attend summer camp. 1st Baptist Church, 210 N. Magnolia St, Highlands, Texas 77562.

Friends are invited to visit with the family on Thursday, March 25, 2021, from 5 pm until 8 pm, in the chapel of Sterling~White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby Lynchburg Rd, Highlands, Texas, 77562. A funeral service for Mr. Robbins will be held on Friday, March 26, 2021, beginning at 10 am with Pastor Tim Edwards officiating at 1st Baptist Church, 210 N. Magnolia St, Highlands, Texas 77562, with a graveside service in Earthman Memory Gardens Cemetery, 8624 Garth Rd, Baytown, TX 77521.