AMBROSE ROBINSON

A lot of life changing things happened for Thelma and Protho Robinson in 1958, but the biggest one was the birth of their son, Ambrose Robinson. His parents mourned the loss of a pregnancy before, Ambrose was their miracle. He was born March 25, 1958 in Dallas, Texas. 

Thelma and Protho named almost all of their children after historical figures. They started the trend with Ambrose, who was named after an eccentric Union General during the Civil War. Ambrose Robinson had a little eccentricity of his own, so the name is fitting. 

Ambrose grew up in the Frazier Court Housing Projects. He was the first of 6 children. His sisters Victoria, Maria, Harah,, Rena and his brother Edward, were his best friends. He accepted Christ at a young age. He was raised in a home where church was an important part of his life, Protho was a Reverend and his mother taught Sunday school classes. 

As Ambrose got older, doctors said he would be different. His parents were not deterred. He was different, but his parents raised all their children to know that different did not mean less than. They knew their quiet, sometimes mischievous child, who loved to wander and collect things deserved a chance to learn.

Ambrose was a student of Denton State School until 1986. He had a plain way of speaking while sometimes stating things that were surprisingly insightful. He had a strong sense of right and wrong, a protective nature towards children, and a nickname for just about everyone he knew. If he believed you were doing the right thing, he’d encourage you. If he thought you were doing the wrong thing, he’d tell you, “you ain’t right”. 

He was thrifty. He was conscious about what things cost and at one point in his life he had a collection of 5 gallon jugs of nickels, dimes, and quarters worth hundreds of dollars. He collected cans and bottles to help contribute to his parents and to fulfill his sweet tooth. 

To describe Ambrose as a music lover would be an understatement. He loved everything from rap, to country, to rock. One of his favorite musicians was Jimi Hendrix and for a period of years Ambrose rocked a baby afro. Not only did he like music, but he loved to dance. No matter what the new dances were, he had his own style. 

Ambrose passed away, Feb. 17, 2022, after a battle with diabetes and kidney disease. He lost his father who was also one of his best friends, only 6 months earlier. 

He was preceded in death by his mother; Thelma, father; Protho, sisters; Maria, Victoria, and Harah. He is survived by his sister, Rena and brother, Edward, his nieces and nephews, and his grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He never had children of his own, but loved and cherished the children in his family. 

Ambrose’s kindness, great sense of humor, and desire to do the right thing shaped everyone in his family’s life in a different way. He is loved. We miss him now and always.