Donald Pinkerton

Memorial service for Donald Ray Pinkerton, 56, Tyler, is scheduled for 3:00 P.M., Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at Marvin United Methodist Church with Dr. Michael Dent officiating. Private burial service will be in Rose Hill Cemetery under direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Pinkerton passed away Sunday, April 3, 2005 at his ranch in San Saba. He was born to J. P. and Helen Blair Pinkerton on April 14, 1948 in Tyler. Mr. Pinkerton lived in Tyler all of his life. He was educated in Tyler public schools, graduating from John Tyler High in 1966. He graduated from Tyler Junior College and attended U.T. Tyler. He was President & CEO of RPR Construction Co. Inc. He was honored to serve as Smith County Commissioner Precinct 2 for two years. Prior to that he was elected to serve the community for three terms as a Tyler City Council Member and also served as City of Tyler Mayor Pro-Tem. He was a Board Member of Tyler Chamber of Commerce, Past President of Bell Elementary School PTA, Past President of Northeast Texas Chapter of Associated General Contractors of America, and Past Vice-President of Tyler Jaycees, and was a Mason with St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 53 in Tyler. His community service included appointments as current board member of Salvation Army in Tyler, East Texas Fair Association, and Lakeview Methodist Conference Center. His past service included appointments as board members with the Smith County Peace Officers Association, EMS Administrative Agency, Texas Rose Festival Association, Dallas Chapter Associated General Contractors of America, Tyler Economic Development Council, Tyler Half Cent Tax Board, and committee member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee. Mr. Pinkerton served 23 years as a Smith County Deputy Sheriff Reserve, was a sponsor of Habitat for Humanity of Smith County, past graduate of Leadership Tyler-Class III, and a Charter Member of Tyler Sunrise Rotary Club. He was an active member of Marvin United Methodist Church where he served as a member of the Administrative Board, Finance Committee and attended the Seekers Sunday School Class. He was honored in his life by receiving the Tyler Patrolman's Association Certificate of Merit, the Philanthropist Award in 2000, and Life Membership of Texas Parent Teachers Association. He enjoyed golf, boating and fishing, hunting, car rallies, cooking and entertaining family and friends. He especially looked forward to spending time with his two grandsons. He will always be remembered as one who gave all of himself to others. He was preceded in death by grandparents, W. S. and Anna Blair of Tyler and Fletcher and Ella Pinkerton of DeValls Bluff, Arkansas. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Pat Pinkerton; daughter, Lori Pinkerton Coe and husband, Donald of Tyler, and Amy Pinkerton Chesley and husband, Brad of Tyler; grandchildren, Walker Coe and Leo Chesley, both of Tyler; parents, J. P. and Helen M. Pinkerton of Tyler; sister, Sharon Leonardi and husband, Richard of Arlington; numerous nieces, nephews, and his special family of employees of RPR Construction. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Hwy., Tyler, 75703. Memorials may be made to Prevent Blindness Texas - East Texas Branch, 824 S. Beckham, 75701, Salvation Army, 633 N. Broadway Ave., 75702, Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., 75701, and Marvin U.M.C. Endowment Fund 300 W. Erwin St., 75702.

Donald Pinkerton

April 14, 1948 - April 3, 2005