Joseph Frederick Robertson, Jr.
March 12, 1925 ~ February 21, 2019 (age 93) 93 Years Old
Obituary
Joseph Frederick Robertson, Jr. lived an All-American life. He arrived to Joseph and Mattie Robertson on March 12, 1925 and was born in a house adjacent to Burlington’s
City Park, an un-paved road then called Main Street Extension. In his youth, inspired by the idols of his day, he played baseball, dreaming of one day playing in the big leagues. HIs first foray into the world of self-employment was that of a paper boy for the Burlington Times News. Other jobs in his youth included being a soda jerk and gas pump attendant. As he gained a few years, Joe became a partner with his father and co-operated J.F. Robertson & Sons Furniture-Hardware-Groceries, just down the same road as his place of birth. (now South Church Street).
In June of 1944, less than a year after his high school graduation, Joe began his service to our country, and joined WWII’s ‘greatest generation’ in defeating Nazi Germany. As a soldier, and ultimately as a Sargent in the 165th Combat Engineers, his grand adventure began at Ft. Bragg. N.C. His duties propelled him to Scotland, France, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Among the experiences he’d speak of most often were landing on Omaha Beach, liberating those in Dachau’s Concentration Camp, building vital bridges for infantry and heavy artillery, guarding stolen art at Hermann Göring’s mountain chateau, and touring The Berghof, Adolf Hitler’s home in the Bavarian Alps.
Less than six months after his return to the United States, Joe married his high school sweet heart, Allene Bell. Over the next three decades, the union would produce four children, Jo Lene, Franci, Robin, and Renn. A granddaughter, Jo Carter, would arrive in the in the latter part of the 60s.
With skills learned prior to the war, he and his brother Richard, along with others accomplished in carpentry, masonry, et al. built the original St. Mark’s Church in Burlington. During that time, Joe eventually grew restless with the Robertson store. He told his father he was ready for a bigger challenge. Joe borrowed money and purchased acreage on Old Hwy 70 (now South Church Street) and began his life as a tobacco farmer. The farm served as a good environment to raise his children and with hard work, a decent livelihood. Nearly 20 years later, his successful farming ability and amicable nature caught the eye of a local tobacco warehouse owner. The owner asked Joe to be his partner in the business. The partnership proved a good one… even after one of Burlington’s largest fires of record destroyed co-owned Coble’s Tobacco Warehouse. Undeterred, Newman-Robertson Tobacco Warehouse was built on Rauhut Street and served the area’s tobacco farmers and market until Joe retired from the business.
During the ‘off season’ and after his retirement, Joe would often be found golfing and forming friendships at Shamrock Golf Course or traveling the Carolinas assisting other tobacco warehouse owners in need of his sound book-keeping skills. Joe’s latter years were spent providing construction services (usually at cost or no charge) to friends and acquaintances. His hobbies included blue bird watching, doing difficult crosswords, and offering advice when needed. His self-described character of ‘I’m a giver. Not a taker’ was proven true his entire life…he gave to his wife, his children, his friends and strangers, his community and his country.
Joseph Frederick Robertson left us for his next grand adventure on February 21, 2019 at 93 years of age.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Gertrude R. Thornton, Pauline R. Hayworth, and his brother Richard. He is survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private graveside service will be held in Burlington.
Joe Robertson’s immediate family wishes to sincerely thank Alamance County’s Hospice Home for the loving and professional care that was provided. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to this care-giving facility.
City Park, an un-paved road then called Main Street Extension. In his youth, inspired by the idols of his day, he played baseball, dreaming of one day playing in the big leagues. HIs first foray into the world of self-employment was that of a paper boy for the Burlington Times News. Other jobs in his youth included being a soda jerk and gas pump attendant. As he gained a few years, Joe became a partner with his father and co-operated J.F. Robertson & Sons Furniture-Hardware-Groceries, just down the same road as his place of birth. (now South Church Street).
In June of 1944, less than a year after his high school graduation, Joe began his service to our country, and joined WWII’s ‘greatest generation’ in defeating Nazi Germany. As a soldier, and ultimately as a Sargent in the 165th Combat Engineers, his grand adventure began at Ft. Bragg. N.C. His duties propelled him to Scotland, France, Italy, Germany, and Austria. Among the experiences he’d speak of most often were landing on Omaha Beach, liberating those in Dachau’s Concentration Camp, building vital bridges for infantry and heavy artillery, guarding stolen art at Hermann Göring’s mountain chateau, and touring The Berghof, Adolf Hitler’s home in the Bavarian Alps.
Less than six months after his return to the United States, Joe married his high school sweet heart, Allene Bell. Over the next three decades, the union would produce four children, Jo Lene, Franci, Robin, and Renn. A granddaughter, Jo Carter, would arrive in the in the latter part of the 60s.
With skills learned prior to the war, he and his brother Richard, along with others accomplished in carpentry, masonry, et al. built the original St. Mark’s Church in Burlington. During that time, Joe eventually grew restless with the Robertson store. He told his father he was ready for a bigger challenge. Joe borrowed money and purchased acreage on Old Hwy 70 (now South Church Street) and began his life as a tobacco farmer. The farm served as a good environment to raise his children and with hard work, a decent livelihood. Nearly 20 years later, his successful farming ability and amicable nature caught the eye of a local tobacco warehouse owner. The owner asked Joe to be his partner in the business. The partnership proved a good one… even after one of Burlington’s largest fires of record destroyed co-owned Coble’s Tobacco Warehouse. Undeterred, Newman-Robertson Tobacco Warehouse was built on Rauhut Street and served the area’s tobacco farmers and market until Joe retired from the business.
During the ‘off season’ and after his retirement, Joe would often be found golfing and forming friendships at Shamrock Golf Course or traveling the Carolinas assisting other tobacco warehouse owners in need of his sound book-keeping skills. Joe’s latter years were spent providing construction services (usually at cost or no charge) to friends and acquaintances. His hobbies included blue bird watching, doing difficult crosswords, and offering advice when needed. His self-described character of ‘I’m a giver. Not a taker’ was proven true his entire life…he gave to his wife, his children, his friends and strangers, his community and his country.
Joseph Frederick Robertson left us for his next grand adventure on February 21, 2019 at 93 years of age.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Gertrude R. Thornton, Pauline R. Hayworth, and his brother Richard. He is survived by nieces, nephews, and cousins. A private graveside service will be held in Burlington.
Joe Robertson’s immediate family wishes to sincerely thank Alamance County’s Hospice Home for the loving and professional care that was provided. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to this care-giving facility.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph Frederick Robertson, Jr., please visit our floral store.
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