Johnnie Othell (Pud) Robertson Heaven will never be the same following the arrival of Johnnie Othell “Pud” Robertson, 88, of Riviera, Texas on Monday, February 1, 2010.

Pud was born October 4, 1921 the youngest child of John Hardy and Bertha Lee Johnson Robertson in the rural community outside Robstown, Texas. About 1933 the family re-settled in the Riviera, Texas area and from then on he would call this area home. He married Mary Christine Yaklin January 12, 1945 and their remarkable 65 years of married life was recently celebrated quietly at home. Their marriage was blessed with 11 children – 7 boys and 4 girls – Johnnie Lee, Tom, Jeri, Verna, Bruce, Connie, Mike “Red”, Willie, Rita, Tim and Gaylord.

A farmer all his life, Pud also worked as a rough-neck, fisherman, and a maintenance mechanic at the Celanese plant in Bishop, Texas to help provide for his family. A hard worker who believed in giving every job 110%, he strived to always be known as “a good hand” in everything he ever did. He loved music and played many different brass and wind instruments in his early years. He absolutely loved to dance and he and Mary livened up many a local dancehall throughout their lives. A kid at heart, his appreciation of a good joke was legendary and he loved to have you “tell him a good one”. Known as a prankster all through his life, he also had a serious, intellectual side that hallmarked a sharp, well-read mind. Having a cup of coffee with family and friends who came by and sharing a joke or two and some porchswing philosophy made a day for him.

Pud is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Johnnie Lee (Sharon), Tom (Dona), Bruce, Mike “Red” (Debi) and Tim (Diane) Robertson; daughters, Verna (Dave) Pinkerd, Connie Boring (Bill) and Rita (Rick) Fry. Also surviving are 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren and a host of special nieces, nephews, and heartgrandchildren.

Pud was preceded in death by his daughter, Geraldine Elizabeth “Jeri” Robertson; sons, Lawrence Gaylord “Gay” and William Doyle “Willie” Robertson; daughter-in-law, Cynthia Loeffler Robertson; granddaughter, Shelly Dawn Robertson; and grandson, Willie Jon Robertson. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family - his parents, John Hardy and Bertha Lee Johnson Robertson, sisters, Opal “Opie” Ritter and Mildred “Sissy” Hill, brothers, W. C. “Dub” and L. O. “Clint” Robertson all preceded him in death.

A special acknowledgement and thank you to Stephen Callahan for his devoted loving care of our Daddy through his illness and taking that night shift night after night so we could rest. We couldn’t have done it without him and doubt if he will ever fully know how very much we love him.

The family will receive friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church at Vattmann, Texas with a Rosary to be recited that evening at 7:00 p.m. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 5, 2010, also at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Vattmann at Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Cemetery.

Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.