Robinsons celebrate 60 years of marriage

Orvel and Judy Robinson of Marlow will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary by hosting a reception with their family and friends on Saturday. The reception will be 1 to 3 p.m. at their home.

They married July 19, 1963 at the First Baptist Church Chapel in Marlow. Rev. Tal Bonham officiated the ceremony, attended by family and a few friends.

“I don’t think anyone thought we would make it 60 years, but here we are celebrating that 60 years,” Judy said.

The Robinsons lived in Marlow until March 1964, and then moved to New Mexico where Orvel had been working before he came back to Oklahoma in 1962. From September 1964 to April 1966, he worked for Brown Construction. He received his draft orders in March 1966. In July 1967, he went to Vietnam.

Judy stayed with her mother and sister in Marlow while Orvel was in the service. After his discharge in April 1968, the couple chose to stay in Marlow and took over the Conoco service station. Newberry’s Pharmacy is now located where the old station once stood. In February 1970, the Robinsons sold the service station and went back to New Mexico until August 1977. When they returned to Oklahoma to stay.

They have two daughters and one son-in-law, Sheri Pelletrino of Duncan, and Shawnda and Josh Seely of Marlow. Shawnda works for the Stephens County Election Board and Josh is Chief of Police for Lawton Public Schools. The Robinsons have five grandchildren, Jacob and Stephanie Skinner, he is in the U.S. Navy and stationed in San Diego; Erica and Turner Bass, she works for the city of Shawnee, he has his own computer business; Caitlin Eaker of Duncan who works for Fred Jones Ford in Oklahoma City; and Mason and Melody Seely, he works security and she is employed at OU Medical. They also have two great-grandchildren, Aiden, 8 and Indigo, 6.

Orvel served on the city council for six years, and then three years as mayor. In the late 1990s, he gathered a group of guys together and formed the Marlow Gunfighters who “caused a lot of trouble.” They changed the name to the Snake River Gang and caused even more trouble. Orvel even has created an old western town which has been the location for a few independently produced shows, served as a field trip location and more. Judy said she stayed at home with the kids and helped at the garage until 1996, at which time she went to work for Marlow Public Schools. She retired in 2010.

“Orvel says he retired but I think he stays as busy as when he was working. He restores classic cars now. He has restored a 1963 and a 1961 Chevy Impala Convertible, and a 1965 Mustang. The 1963 Impala is in a museum in Lubbock, Texas.” They are both members of the Duncan Antique Auto Car Club.