Obituary of John Irvin Robertson

John Irvin “J R” Robertson passed away February 13, 2024 at home in Pensacola, FL, surrounded by his family. JR was born June 27, 1944 to Irvin and Virginia Robertson in Houston, TX.  He attended Houston Independent School District schools Shearn Elementary, San Jacinto High School/San Jacinto Technical School, and graduated 1963.  Following graduation John was hired by M.D. Anderson Hospital as    medical records photographer to document rare physical medical    conditions.  He later joined his father’s company Vacuum Coating to assist in manufacturing optical components for scientific instruments.  Operations swiftly expanded through increasing needs for military fire control optical lenses (reticles) used in military equipment.  Applied Films Inc. (AFI) was formed to provide custom products and services to the U.S. Dept of Defense through major DOD contractors, oil and gas exploration companies, motion picture cinematography editing companies and a well-known “Hope Diamond” owner’s son seeking a method to physically identify diamonds to prohibit the practice of diamond swapping.   John’s desire to provide his products and services to customers located throughout the U.S. created a need for quick travel.  The company purchased a 4-seater Piper Comanche 260 airplane which required a pilot with a radio operator’s license.  John took and completed flying lessons, got his private pilot’s and radio operator’s licenses for flying himself and family members to customer locations.   After 45 years at Applied Films Inc. and previously Vacuum Coating, John retired in April 2013 hoping to spend his remaining days fishing, BBQing and shooting photographs as a way of documenting his joy of life.   JR loved Photography, deep sea fishing, BBQ cooking on his No. 357 “Pitts N Spits smoker/grill”, Reverse Engineering machinery, & all types of    appliances just to see “What makes them work” and what might be    changed to make them work even better.   JR is preceded in death by his father Irvin A. Robertson, mother Virginia Elizabeth Lee Robertson, and brother Larry Gene Robertson as well-loved pets, Bongo, Molly, Murphy, Della, and Rusty. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 + years, Bobbie “Clay” Robertson of Pensacola; Sons, Jeffrey Scott Robertson (Kristin Spinella) residing in Alamosa, CO, John Kevin Robertson (Richelle) of Panama City Beach, FL; Grandson, John Austin Robertson (Michelle Nicole); Granddaughter, Ashlyn Nicole Khan (Omar) of League City; great granddaughters Rilynn Kate & Kynlee of Pensacola, FL; as well as Lady Bird his beloved Parrot, and a host of extended family and friends

A memorial service will be held Friday March 1, 2024, with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm followed by a service at 2:00 pm at Family funeral and Cremation 5627 N. Davis Hwy Pensacola FL 32503.