Robert Franklin Linson

Robert Franklin Linson, 68, of Grantsboro, NC, entered into eternal rest on 18 March 2022.  Robert was born the youngest of seven children, in Springer New Mexico in 1953.   “Rob” as he was known by his friends and family, was raised in the high country of New Mexico, a place that would shape his larger than life personality and love of the outdoors.  He was a lover of history, especially that of the old west, the mining, ranching and cowboy life of the country where he was raised.  Rob was a man of great depth, he loved music, dancing, storytelling and reading.  He spent time working as a woodland firefighter, heavy equipment operator, mechanic, cowboy, and ranch foreman.  He had an amazing ability to tell the history and stories of the wilds of New Mexico and shared his love for it with all who knew him.  He shared his love of the mountains in his self-published book “A Man and His Mountain” in 2010.

After marrying Rob left New Mexico for a short time, moving to Oklahoma where he worked, raised his family.  He would ultimately return to New Mexico to reconnect with the place he called home.  After returning to New Mexico Rob was a foreman on the Vermejo Park Ranch in northern New Mexico.  While on the ranch Rob had the opportunity to explore the 600,000 acre ranch, its history, and to reconnect with the mountains he called home.  Being on the ranch also gave him an opportunity to share all of it with his family, particularly his grandchildren. Rob put enormous energy into sharing his love of history and the outdoors with his family.  Rob visited North Carolina on occasion and when he retired in 2017 and he and Paula moved to Grantsboro.  He often said how much he loved the beach and the lifestyle in eastern North Carolina.  Rob and Paula would spend their time at the beach, riding the ferry and visiting historical sites.

Rob is survived by his loving wife of 44 years Paula, and their daughters Victoria, Sheryl, and Jennifer.  He is also survived by his brother Lawrence Jr, and sisters Ann and Kathy, as well as grandchildren Tabitha, Emily, Todd, Toby Jr, Anna, Teresa, Evelyn, Clinton, and great granddaughter Jasmine. He is preceded in death by his father Lawrence W Linson Sr., mother Anna Mae, sisters, Edna, Barbara and Margaret.

Above all things Robert Linson was a family man, a devoted husband, father and grandfather.  A big man with an even bigger heart, Rob’s memory and his larger than life personality will forever be in the hearts and minds of his family and friends.