Memorial fund for a hero and his son
A letter from Dallon Robinette, son of Carl (CJ) Robinette.:
Today marks the greatest loss I have felt in my life thus far. Yesterday (4/26/20), my father was out on the lake with friends. A young boy ventured too far out from the sand bar they had stopped at and found himself falling off a sudden drop into deceptively deep water. He panicked, as one is wont to do when faced with a surprise like that, and in his panic he forgot how to swim. The boys mom went after him to try and help, but in his panic he began to take her under with him. My father, with no hesitation, jumped off the boat and into action. He helped the woman, and immediately dove under the water to help the boy, who had begun to sink underwater. Witnesses said that it was obvious my dad used every last ounce of his strength and his final dying breath to dive under and lift the boy above the water and into the arms of another man who was attempting to help. They said that it looked like an angel had lifted them both out of the lake. Somehow my dad had the strength to get the boy up, but I was told there was no more life in his eyes when he did it. After the child was recovered, my father slipped below the surface one final time and never came back up. Rescue divers searched as long as the light allowed, and his body was finally recovered early this morning (4/27/20).
It is days like today which remind me that we are all born to broken people on their most honest day of living. My father made many mistakes in his life. But in the end, he acted on instinct alone, putting the lives of two others above his own. In one final act of sacrificial love, he gave his life so that a child could continue his. He intentionally allowed himself to drown and to suffer what is known as one of the most horrific deaths one can experience, so that others wouldn’t find the same fate. He proved that willpower trumps all else. Words cannot describe the pain of losing a parent, but it is even harder to describe my conflicting feelings of both pride and joy that result from knowing that my father died a hero. I don’t write this seeking sympathy. I write this as a reminder. Life is a collection of moments. Each one, good and bad, is precious. Cherish the people around you, because you never know when they will leave this earth. My dad, CJ Robinette, certainly made mistakes. He was not perfect. He was broken just like the rest of us. But he will not be defined by those moments of brokenness. He will be defined by this selfless act of sacrificial love. I will miss him greatly, but I take comfort in knowing his death gave life to others. I urge you, take a page out of his book. Do something not for yourself, but for the benefit of others. My dad always told me, "Son, you know I'm not long for this world. When I go, you will be the only legacy I leave behind. You will be the only evidence that I ever existed. You are proof that I was worth something." It makes me overjoyed to know there's some pressure off of me now. He created his own legacy out on the water that day. He proved without a shadow of doubt that he was worthy of any praise, respect, and admiration given to him. I'm not telling you that you need to give your life away to be worth something, but maybe start with baby steps. Do something nice for someone else. Love on a stranger. Leave a legacy of your own
A note from Alisa Anderson and Kayla Ross, mother and sister of Dallon, friends of CJ:
Most dads are heros in the eyes of their kids, but Dallon's dad truly died a hero in the eyes of all of us! Let's all join together and give CJ the memorial service he deserves and help his son as he navigates this difficult time.
Dallon is his dads next of kin, and has been left with the responsibility of taking care of his fathers memorial expenses and arrangements. He is only a Junior at Grand Canyon University in Arizona, and his dad was helping take care of his needs. Now Dallon is tasked with taking care of his father's needs.
Many family and friends have requested the opportunity to show their love and appreciation through love donations to CJ’s expenses to help the family through this unexpected time. Funds will be used to cover medical, memorial and family care expenses.
If you are friends or family member of Cj, please know he loved you all very much!!!
Thank you! We are so grateful for your support.