# 12
Hometown: Lexington, KY (Lafayette)
Position: G Playing Height: 6-1 Playing Weight: 185
Date of Birth: February 17, 1938 [Xavier - 45 - 29]
Date of Death: August 18, 2026
Legal Name: Alford Merritt Robinson
Additional Photos: (1)
Game by Game Statistics
| Season | Games Played | FG | FGA | % | FT | FTA | % | Total Rebs | F | Total Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958-59 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 42.86 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 6 |
| 1959-60 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 12 | 3 | 8 | 37.5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
Obituary - Alford "Al" Merritt Robinson Obituary, Care Cremation and Funeral Service (August 19, 2026)
ALFORD MERRITT ROBINSON, age 88, passed away on August 18, 2026. He was born in Lexington, Kentucky, on February 17, 1938, to Merritt and Louise Robinson.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Kirk Alford Robinson.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Betty Massey Robinson; his sister, Janet Gayle Harris (Ron); brothers-in-law, Bob Massey (Marilynne) and Walter Massey (Maria); nephews, Ret. AF Major Kevin Massey (Dana), Kyle Massey (Jessie), John Dabney (Molly), and Ryan Harris; and nieces, Andrea Massey and Autumn Christian Massey (Kristian) of Norway.
Al attended Lafayette High School before joining the United States Army. He then attended the University of Kentucky, where he played four years on the basketball team under Coach Adolph Rupp. He always said he was fortunate to be one of only 12 men selected to play for the University of Kentucky and to have his dream come true. He later received his MBA from Georgetown College.
Al taught physical education at several local elementary schools before entering the warehouse, salvage, and trucking business. He eventually sold his warehouse on Manchester Street in 2007, what is now known as the James E. Pepper Distillery.
His favorite summer place was Herrington Lake, where he loved spending time on his boat. In 1980, he built a two-story floating house, which unfortunately burned in 2018. Being the visionary, he was, Al replaced it with another old floating house, gutted it, and transformed it into another fantastic place to spend the summer.
After his son passed away, basketball became Al's favorite pastime. He began videoing potential teams the University of Kentucky was likely to play. He did this for Rick Pitino, who wanted recordings of every game played anywhere, and later for Tubby Smith. After recording approximately 2,600 tapes a year for two decades, he finally stopped.
Al attended almost every practice with Coach Calipari. Coach Calipari once said that Al had attended more practices than some of the players and that Al knew more about basketball than nearly anyone he knew.
Al and his wife were fortunate to travel with the team to many SEC games and NCAA tournaments. He had a very fun-filled and exciting life and enjoyed every minute of it.
Al was blessed with many loving friends, as shown by the outpouring of visitors he received during the last few months of his life. He was especially grateful for Bill Keightley's graduate assistants, who nicknamed him "Hollywood," a name that stayed with him throughout the years.
His love for the game followed him even into his final hours. Visitors would call on him, recall events and memories, and, although he was unable to speak, he would smile and halfway chuckle at a cherished memory.
Al will be fondly remembered as a great and loving husband, son, and father; an eternal optimist; a man of creative ingenuity; an encourager; and a person known for his generosity.
The family wishes to thank everyone who shared their precious memories of their time with Al, as well as all of his caregivers, in particular, Dr. Jim Borders.
If you wish, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Al's memory. No flowers, please.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Church of the Savior, 1301 Brannon Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky. Visitation from 10AM until time of service. Services will be officiated by Ron Harris.
Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.
