Sunday, November 11, 2012

Obituary -- Charles Pinkerton 1926-2012

Born on the Dick Jackson farm in Harrison County near Hatfield, MO; the 3rd son of Herbert and Irma (Johnson) Pinkerton. He lived most of his life in Worth and Harrison County as a farmer helping his dad's farm and working for other farmers and ranchers. He attended grades 1-8 at Eureka country school near Allendale, then high school at Grant City until he heard the call to go help his country in a time of great need (1944-1946). His basic training was at the Farragut Idaho Naval Training Station. He was then sent to Okinawa as a Carpenter's Mate, 3rd Class (CB) SV-6. Upon returning home from the Navy, he went to Fort Worth for 3 months to work construction. He found the heat in Texas too much to bear and returned home to help Dad farm in Iowa for 4 years. Upon returning to Missouri, he worked for other farmers and ranchers in Iowa and Missouri.

He gave his life completely to the Lord Jesus in his early 30's and became a member of Lotts Grove Baptist Church. He was ordained a Deacon in his late 30's. He was the last deacon of Lott's Grove. Charles' life was totally devoted to serving God and taking care of his family. He gave up a life of his own and took such joy in taking care of Mom after Dad went home to be with the Lord. After his own grave illness and his Mom's going to Heaven, he moved to Federal Way, WA in 1998 to live out the rest of his life with his sister Eileen and her husband David Runyan. He loved both Missouri and Washington. His working days were over. He spent his days going for walks and reading his Bible every day. He read his Bible thru every year. He enjoyed the daily newspaper, many good books, watching old TV programs and baseball, bird watching, and the scenery of Washington state. He also enjoyed attending two Navy Basic Training reunions at the original Farragut, Idaho Naval Training Station where he had his basic training. A portion of the original base is still preserved and is now known as "Farragut State Park," consisting of 4,000 acres. It is a very beautiful area.

Charles had love and acceptance for all. To hear Charles pray was a most wonderful thing. Shortly before he left this world was the last time we had a wonderful prayer time and sharing of God's word together. His prayers were for family and everyone. He talked to his Lord Jesus just like talking to you or me. His wonderful sense of humor stayed with him until the end. One of his favorite sayings was, "It is better to have a sense of humor than no sense at all." He was like a second father to Eileen and Joan, the youngest of seven children. Praise God for the wonderful memories.

Preceding him in death were father Herbert O. Pinkerton; mother Irma (Johnson) Pinkerton; brothers Donald E. Pinkerton, Delbert Pinkerton, and Clarence Pinkerton; nephews Clarence Arnold Wait and Terry Lynn Ely.

He leaves behind sisters Mary Lou (William) Wait of Kingston, MO; Eileen (David) Runyan of Federal Way, WA; and Joan (James) Ely of Martinsville; and sister-in-law Genevieve Pinkerton of Huntington Beach, CA, plus many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 14th at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home in Grant City. Interment will be in the Lincoln Center Cemetery in Hatfield.

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