Joshua (Josh) Edwin Robinson was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 16th, 1980, to proud parents, Bob and Jody Robinson. He spent his early childhood in Uniontown, Ohio, before the family moved to Blue Springs, Missouri, where Josh resided until his peaceful passing on April 3, 2022, at the age of 41, surrounded by his family. Josh met his lifelong partner, Annique, while attending Blue Springs South High School, where he graduated in 1999. Josh’s greatest accomplishment was raising her son, Jeffery, as his own for two decades, devoting his own life to ensuring Jeffery was happy, healthy, and receiving the special needs care he required. It was obvious through Jeffery’s smiles and laughter, the mutual love and adoration they shared. Although no longer able to care for him after Josh suffered a debilitating stroke in April 2020, Jeffery continued to be foremost in his mind. Josh proudly shared stories and photos with those he met—including the many physicians, physical therapists, and dialysis patients nurses he regularly interacted with. Josh was a curious and sweet child, with a head full of red curly hair, who loved to play, build, explore and torment his sisters as only siblings can. His hobbies included computers, fishing, video games, and building/racing remote-control cars in local competitions as he got older. Taking after his great-grandfather, Josh began curating collections of treasures at an early age. Where others saw cast-off household items and miscellaneous hardware, he saw inventions, ideas, and projects. This insatiable curiosity and fix-it mentality continued throughout Josh’s life and were truly defining characteristics. He would spend hours taking things apart and, more often than not, fix these items or create something entirely new. Some of his notable remote-control inventions included:

• An airplane constructed out of building insulation that actually took flight (just once!) before its untimely crash landing in the driveway.
• An H20 separator—which extracted hydrogen from water—was fashioned to power a lawnmower.
• Another lawnmower was built out of parts extracted from a child’s motorized car.

Of course, Josh’s curiosity and inventiveness were not without consequences.  As many young boys do, Josh became a bit of a “firebug”, which was mostly a harmless fascination until he managed to burn down the treehouse he’d built in the woods behind our house. Many years later, he and his late friend, Cliff, were attempting to pry the top off a 50-gallon drum that, unbeknownst to them, contained the remnants of flammable liquid. The drum exploded, sending the top of the barrel over the rooftops and making for quite a show in the neighborhood. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in either scenario.

While his priority was always caring for Jeffery, a longtime friend recently described Josh’s “servant spirit”, which he put to good use by helping others whenever and however he could—including stopping by his parents’ house multiple times each week to assist with anything that needed tending to.  His handy nature made him the perfect person to fix, build, repurpose and assist with any odd jobs that came his way. He also took great pride in this type of work, which was something he missed dearly after his stroke. Josh studied electronics in college and was proudly employed at various locales throughout his lifetime, including Brancato’s Catering, Koch Industries, and Fun House Pizza. In addition to Annique and Jeffery Mullins, Josh’s passing leaves behind his heartbroken family, including his father and faithful caregiver, Bob Robinson, of Blue Springs; brother, Jim (Cherie) Robinson, of Dalhart, Texas; sisters, Andréa (Jason) Solarino and Krista Bazata, both of Kansas City; nephews, Brit Robinson, Rhett Solarino and Dylan Bazata; nieces, Lyla Solarino and Milena Bazata; and dozens of incredible aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, some of whom provided incredible care and companionship to Josh in recent years. We are comforted by the fact Josh is no longer in pain and imagine him being welcomed with open arms by his mother, Jody; sister, Becky; and other dear friends and family members who proceeded him in death. Many have asked how they can pay respects to and honor Josh’s life. All are welcome to join the family at his Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 30^th, between 5:30 and 8 PM, at Bridge Space in Lee’s Summit. Per his wishes, there will be a private ceremony to spread his ashes in the days ahead.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Polycystic Kidney Disease (PDK) Foundation (http://support.pkdcure.org/tribute) in memory of Joshua E. Robinson Additionally, if you haven’t done so already, please consider registering as an organ donor and ensure your wishes are known to your family. We encourage you to leave your fondest memories and funniest stories of Josh in the guest book comments.

Obituary submitted by family.

Arrangements:  Royer Funeral Home, Grain Valley, MO   816-847-4441