Clifford DeWayne Robinson

Clifford “Cliff” DeWayne Robinson departed this earthly life peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born to the late Lee E. Robinson, Sr., and Christine Robinson on August 11, 1960, in Portland, Arkansas. The family relocated to Portland, Oregon in 1964. He took pride in being the big brother to Lee, Jr., and Kimberly.

Cliff’s Christian walk was highly influenced by Bishop W. L. McKinney at McKinney Temple and Elder Thomas at St. Luke Church of God in Christ. He graduated from Grant High School in Portland, Oregon in 1978. Soon after graduation, Cliff enlisted in the United States Army as a Communication Specialist where he achieved the rank of Sergeant. While in the Army, Cliff’s greatest joy was being a Drill Sergeant, where he inspired and prepared enlistees to be “all that they could be”.  He retired in 1994. After retiring from the Army, Cliff was a Corrections Officer and Counselor at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBP) located at the Federal Corrections Institute in Sheridan, Oregon. In 2014, he enjoyed his second retirement, which was from the FBP.

Cliff entered holy matrimony with his forever love, Debra White, on December 17, 1982. To this union they had three children: Terrance Joe, Nicholas DeWayne, and Zoe Simone.  

Cliff was a family man. He was the videographer for all family celebrations and vacations. He, himself, was rarely in the videos, but captured everyone else. Cliff even made sure that the DHS videos were transferred to DVDs so that the family could cherish those moments for life.  He was passionate about ensuring that  everyone enjoyed themselves. As an excellent storyteller, Cliff was the keeper of family stories and traditions. He was an avid sports fan. His pastimes were watching his nephew Daniel play football, watching boxing matches, and chatting with his friends about any and every sporting event happening, especially the Seattle  Seahawks and the Portland Trailblazers.  

In addition to his wife, Debra, those left to celebrate his life are his children:  sons: Terrance “Joe Boy” and Nicholas “Nick”; and daughter, Zoe “Zoe Bean” all of Portland, Oregon; his sister and brother:  Lee (Rose) and Kimberly Green (David): grandchildren: Terrance, Josiah, Tylese, Makayla, Jaden, Jaylen, and Tamya; two great grandchildren: Nevaeh and Kairo; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces,  nephews, and cousins.  

Waiting in Glory are:  his parents; his grandmother Lula May Jones; his Aunt Sarah Jones, and his Uncle Jesse Jones.

Cliff was a benevolent, selfless soul who touched many lives in his journey.  If you knew Cliff, you knew he loved, cared, and respected you unconditionally. Just as he loved, HE WAS LOVED even the more.  No combination of words can express how deeply Cliff will be missed.        

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