P. Preston Robbins May 29, 1911 - August 15, 2004 Passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 93 after a brief battle with lymphoma. Preston is survived by his wife of 13 years, Melba, daughters, Jerry Michaels (William) of Concord, CA and Shirley Chorvat (Michael) of Spokane, WA, son, Dewey Robbins (Margaret) of Walnut Creek, CA, stepson, Gary Baldwin (Marguerite) of Auburn, CA, brothers, Dewey Robbins and L.Z. Robbins of Modesto, CA, sister, Inez Damron of McAllen, TX, 11 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years, Beulah "Jerry", son, Jack, grandsons, Dewey and Tony, and daughter-in-law, Thelma. Preston was born in Grand Prairie, TX to sharecroppers, William Ezra and Sally Jane Robbins. He came from a large family of 1 sister, 5 brothers, 2 stepsisters and 2 stepbrothers. Preston was a hard-working man who helped his dad on the farm and drove tractors from neighboring farmers. As a young man he was a semi-professional boxer in Mexico and the US. Later he worked as a mechanic for John Deere and was also a roughneck and roust-about in the oil fields of Miranda, TX. In January of 1942 he drove a Model A Ford with his wife, 2 children, a brother, and all their possessions to relocate to Port Chicago, CA. His first employment in CA was with General Chemicals in Nichols. Later he worked in the shipyards and Concord's Naval Weapons Station as a welder and fireman. He was working on the docks July 17, 1944 when the ammunition ships exploded. His last employer was US Steel in Pittsburg, CA. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and loyal friend. During his final weeks family members came from near and far to say goodbye to a man who was loved and respected by all. Preston will be missed by his family and friends

Contra Costa Times (Walnut Creek, CA) - August 17, 2004

Grandsons --
Dewey Robbins. #70794471
Tony Robbins. #70794516