Tex Robin · History

Biography

Tex Lanear Robin was born 12 September 1939 in Goree, Texas, to Waymon L. (“Tex”) Robin and Edna Evelyn James, as reported from Coleman Today / funeral sources.

His father learned bootmaking while repairing boots on the rodeo circuit in the 1930s and opened Tex Robin Boots in 1944. The younger Tex began in the shop at about age 10 and learned to build a complete boot beside his father in the 1950s.

Per his Coleman High School Class of 1958 alumni note (updated 2010): he moved to Coleman in 1954, made boots with his dad while attending CHS, enlisted in the Army, returned 1960, and eventually took over the Coleman shop before relocating to Abilene. The alumni note cites a later shop at 2081 Sayles Ave.

He married Margaret Elizabeth Anderson on 30 December 1960 (a 62-year marriage per obituary-derived accounts). Death: 15 September 2023, Abilene — three days after his 84th birthday. Burial reported at Texas State Veterans Cemetery, Abilene.

Shop culture and people credits

Jennifer June’s field writing (Dimlights) describes appointment-only work, long waits, and a maker who would refuse a design he disliked.

Texas Monthly custom-bootmaker coverage lists Gov. Rick Perry and Benny Binion among clients; prices then about $695 with about a one-year turnaround.

Book / media: featured in Jennifer June, Cowboy Boots: The Art & Sole (2007); June spent roughly a month in the Coleman shop.