John Aitken Robertson, Jr.

John (Red) Robertson, Jr. spent his first five years on his grandparent's family ranch outside of Silver City, New Mexico, where his dad worked for Turner’s. His dad became an electrician for Phelps Dodge Copper Mining Company. He spent his growing up years there with his mom, Mamie, dad, John Sr., and sisters, Janet, and Rosie. He was a life guard at the town pool during the summers, with many sunburns due to his red hair and Scottish heritage. His dad passed away when he was 16. After graduating high school, he went to college for a while in Flagstaff, at the Arizona State College (now NAU). After a year, he joined the Navy in September 1957, and was on the USS Hamul, a ship that repaired other ships, allowing him to see Hawaii and Japan. While attending a wedding for a shipmate, he met his future bride, Lorraine. After his four years in the Navy, he returned to Flagstaff for another year, then secured a job with Pacific Bell in Los Angeles, where he worked in building maintenance. He later became supervisor of his department. When celebrating the anniversary of his shipmate, he renewed his friendship with Lorraine, and they were married on January 25, 1964 in Temple City, California. There they raised three children: Mark, Carrie and John III. He was active in the Boy Scouts, with Mark going on backpacking trips and supporting all three kids in their many school activities. After retiring in 1987, he and Lorraine moved to Lakeside, Arizona. He spent his early years here driving vehicles up from the valley for Show Low Pontiac, fixing interiors of homes for friends, woodworking, and going on trips with Lorraine in their tent trailer, and later staying in motels, seeing many historic places, and traveling the Mississippi River by car from the headwaters to New Orleans. He was a member for 25 years with the Knights of Columbus Council 7912 at St. Mary of the Angels Catholic Church, serving many offices and as District Deputy with the State Council. He was a Fourth Degree Knight in the Mother Teresa Assembly 2537. He was active in his church and planted a garden every year. He will be dearly missed by his wife of 59 years, Lorraine; Mark and wife Teresa; Carrie; John and his husband Michael. There will be a rosary held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 9:30 am, at the St. Mary’s of the Angels Catholic Church, 1915 S. Penrod Lane, Pinetop, AZ. A Mass of Christian Memorial service will follow immediately after the rosary, Tuesday February 7, 2023, at 10 am at the church. Inurnment, St. Mary’s of the Angels Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National TTT Society, 6919 Vista Drive, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266. They can be reached by telephone at, (319) 385-7246.