Val Keith Robison

July 19, 1957 - September 20, 2021

Our beloved father, devoted husband , reliable brother, superior uncle and the worlds best Papa passed away unexpectedly, September 20, 2021 at the age of 64.
 
Val is survived by his wife, Narlene (Clark) Robison; his children, Bryson and Debbie (Reece) Robison, Colby Robison, and Shea Robison; His grandchildren, Derek Robison, Deron Robison, Ashlyn Robison, and Trey Robison; His siblings, their spouses, as well his many nieces and nephews. 
 
He is preceded in death by his Father, Robert W. Robison, and his Mother Lura L. Robison. 
 
Val was always grateful for the relationship he had with his Mom. She was someone he knew he could always rely on. Their heavenly reunion was spectacular, without a doubt. 
 
Val Keith Robison was born on July 19, 1957 in Ogden, UT. He was the third of five children. 
 
His parents Robert W. and Lura L. Robison often were required to relocate for work opportunities. Val grew up in Utah, Colorado ,Wyoming, and Montana. Moving so often as a child taught Val how to be resilient and to try new things. 
 
Val graduated with his class of 1975 at Helena High School in Montana.
As a college student Val attended Weber State and then later BYU. There he met his beautiful wife, Narlene Clark Robison. Young and In love, they soon married on August 7, 1979. They were married for 42 years. 
 
Val and Narlene had three sons. 
Bryson Robert Robison, Colby Lynn Robison , and Shea Wesley Robison. 
Three strong, intelligent and caring sons. 
 
He provided them with a beautiful childhood filled with now cherished memories. 
Trips to Lake Powell, Major League baseball games, Bear Lake, trips to NY, father/son trips, Disney, Jazz games, and BYU football games. Val’s favorite thing to do as a dad was to coach his son’s youth sports teams. 
 
Val was a mentor to countless youth during his days as a coach. He cared about those kids and wanted the best for them both on and off the field. He never hesitated to make sure his players had everything they needed. Val often told stories to his grandson’s about his coaching days and spoke with pride while remembering those kids that he spent so much  time with as their coach. 
 
Val was a smart and successful businessman. He had a great work ethic, and with his natural charm he took a small telecom business and turned it in to something great. 
 
Val added his first daughter to the family in 2006 when his son Bryson married Deborah Lynn (Reece) Robison. Val and Debbie had an immediate friendship from the very beginning. Humor, Diet Coke and junk food; the rest is history. 
 
He became a Papa for the first time in November 2007. A role he adored and did well. He was thrilled as each of his grandkids joined our family. His grandkids were the absolute joy of his life. No question about that. 
 
Three grandsons and one granddaughter. 
Derek William Robison, Deron Paul Robison, Ashlyn Val Robison, and Trey Alexander Robison.
 
He showered his grandkids in constant love, support, and encouragement. He was notorious for giving them unlimited Peanut M&M’s and discretely slipping them twenties when their parents weren’t looking. 
 
Routinely the grandkids would wake before school and find text messages waiting for them. The messages sent the night before from their proud Papa encouraging them to live their best lives and find joy in their days. They hardly ever went a day without hearing  an “I love you” from him. 
 
He loved to attend their baseball and football games, as well gymnastics. He was their loudest fan, and never passed up an opportunity to support them. The grandkids brought out the best version of Val. 
 
He was moved to tears when in recent months he learned his second oldest grandson Deron , chose to sport #53 on the football field. 
This was Val’s high school football number. His love for sports was a common ground for him, his sons and his grandsons. 
 
Val had a great love for the beach and the outdoors, and he enjoyed them often after his retirement in 2017. 
Our family group chat is filled with scenic pictures from the Utah hiking trails, and photos of his typical afternoons where he sat pool side. All with his furry four legged companion Caylee beside him. 
 
Val was a patriot and loved this country. 
He loved and respected the police and  military. He was honored to have his son Shea serve in the Marine Corps. He was a proud American. 
 
He looked forward to the opportunities he had to participate in Fast Pass, and could be spotted driving his corvette with his wife Narlene as they drove through the Utah canyons and parks alongside the Utah Highway Patrol.
 
Val enjoyed traveling and soaking up the sunshine. Escaping the Utah winters, you could guarantee he was on a beach somewhere with his toes in the sand or cruising through the Caribbean with his wife. They made friends, ate too much, and enjoyed the laid-back lifestyle. 
 
We’ll miss him terribly. How grateful we are for the time we had with him. He’s touched more lives than he could have ever imagined. 
 
Honoring his wishes, our family will have a small private funeral service Tuesday morning.
 
Thursday night, September 30th, we invite all to join and come together as we celebrate his life from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East.  Guests are encouraged to use the parking and entrance on the north side of the building.
 
Friends are encouraged to video their memories using their phones or computers and email those memories to reach_us@starksfuneral.com Videos will be produced into a keepsake montage for Val's family to treaasure.
 
Please check back soon for tribute slideshow. 

In Loving Memory

We are heartbroken to hear about the loss of Val. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this tough time. Live in his memories as he touched all of you in such a positive way. May he rest in peace!

Bob Arnold & Kim Fowler

Wesley Chapel, FL

To Narline, Denis, Denise, Mitch, Zane, and Val's other Family members who I have not met. I want to pass along my deepest sympathy and condolences at this sad time. I met Val in Denver, where we grew up. Denis was my best friend, and Val as the younger brother was a large part of my memories. Val always had a huge smile and an outgoing personality to go with it. He always made me happy to see him. I think Val was in 8th garage when the Robison's moved away from Denver to Cheyenne, then Helena. My brother and I visited Denis and Val in their new homes, and always maintained the friendship. We even roomed together at college. I loved seeing Val launch his life as he married Narline and they raised their family. We never saw each other much after that, but Denis always shared his family stories that included Val. I never went to Bear Lake with the Robison's, but felt like I was there whenever the stories over the years were told. This loss to each of you must be nearly unbearable. But as I've felt sadness over Val's passing, I have remembered his smile. It has brought happy thoughts of times together with Val and the memories. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Sincerely, John Christensen

John Christensen

Ashburn, Va

Val has always been one of my favorite people. I had the privilege of living across the street from the Robisons growing up. As I became great friends with Bryson, I had the opportunity to do a lot of awesome activites with Val and the rest of the family.  Swimming, playing baseball, football, basketball, going to Lake Powell, attending countless BYU football games including watching BYU beat #1 Miami, taking trips to the dump, learning how to water ski, golfing, playing Uno in the mobile home and countless other activities with Val and family are memories I will never forget.  I always admired how Val was as a father and knew I wanted to be just like him. Val always treated me like I was one of the family and not just another kid. From tee ball to helping me make the allstar team in baseball, Val was a great coach and mentor.  Thank you Val for everything.  I am the kind of man and father today because of your example.   

Travis Rigby

Draper, UT

Val was a huge part of the reason why I joined Sunturn in 2007. We clicked immediately and shared a love of baseball. I grew up going to Fenway, so although we were foes on the diamond, we had a great friendship that included a lot of friendly jabs! I looked up to him as a trusted colleague and a valued mentor. Over the years, we kept in touch even when career choices took us down separate paths. He always made a point to keep in touch and most recently he told me he was proud of me. That meant the world to me, especially now. His greatest achievement was being a Dad and Grandfather. That was evident in the many stories he shared. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family. Thinking of all of you.   

Rushina Dalal

Chandler, AZ

This is a tremendous shock to me.  I was fortunate enough to work with and for Val for close to 40 years.  He was a great man and I was fortunate to know him.

Jim Bird

Saint George, UT

Narlene and family Val was such a big influence in the Ute conference little league family. My family really enjoyed his happy personality and big smile for everyone. He was always so excited to see and be with the little league teams.  It meant a lot to us when he came to my husbands wake, so thoughtful. I know John thought a lot of Val. We are all thinking of you and sending prayers to help you thru this difficult time in your lives.  Debbie Hanley and family   

Debbie Hanley

Slc, Ut

I grew up with Val and his family in Helena. So sad to hear about this. He was a good friend and mentor. Always made me laugh and he spoke often about his love for his grandkids. 

Paul Wake

San Diego, CA

In Loving Memory

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