Johnny "JW" Walker Robertson, Jr.
1944 – 2020
Johnny Walker Robertson Jr. (JW) was born on September 11, 1944 in Cushing, Oklahoma to Johnny Robertson and Maxine (German) Robertson. He passed away on September 3, 2020 after a failed remission of Acute Myloid Leukemia.
Before settling in Oklahoma City, the family also lived in Lawton and Geary. JW went to Northwest Classen High School (1962) and the University of Oklahoma (1967). At OU he was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity serving as its President his senior year. He graduated from OU on Friday and started his 32-year career with Southwestern Bell the following Monday. His career took him to Enid, Ponca City, Oklahoma City, St. Louis, and San Antonio. He retired in May 1999. He married his best friend and soulmate Beth Peck Bray in 1982 and she joined him in retirement in 2001 when she also retired from Southwestern Bell. Then they began to travel … a lot! JW was proud of the fact that he had been to all of the 61 National Parks in America. Yes, there are 62 but the last was named after his Leukemia diagnosis so, in his mind, it didn't count. His passion was trip planning and he was very good at it. He has spent the night at Machu Picchu, travelled above the artic circle to Gates of the Artic National Park in Alaska, taken a dip in the Blue Lagoon in Iceland and hiked the trails at Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia. He had to be bribed to take his first cruise back in 2005, but his initial doubt turned into a love and he became an avid cruiser. All that knew JW, knew how much he loved college football and his Sooners and their "away" games became another opportunity to travel.
He is survived by his wife Beth of Edmond, sons Corey Bray of Oklahoma City, Matthew Robertson, daughter-in-law Kim, and his precious grandchildren Paxton, Piper and Presley of Edmond, his sister Beth Carroll (husband Chris) of Overland Park, Kansas, niece Amy Korf (daughter Kylie) and nephew CJ Carroll (wife Meagan) all also of Overland Park, as well as many dear friends.
This witty, intelligent, caring, and wonderful man has left a permanent mark on our lives. His presence will be missed by all.
In keeping with JW's wishes there will be no public service. To remember him he would like for you to have an ice cream in his honor.