Memorial services for 90-year old Donald “Don” Pinkerton are Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at 10:00 at Chamberlain Chapel in Chadron, NE.
Inurnment is at Highland Center Cemetery, 20 miles southwest of Chadron.
Flowers and donations for memorials may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel P.O. Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337
Online condolences may be left at www.chamberlainchapel.com
Donald LaMoin Pinkerton was born to Harry and Loretta (Lecher) Pinkerton on May 15, 1933 in the upstairs bedroom of the house the Pinkerton family farm on Slim Buttes Road, east of Chadron. He passed away at Chadron Community Hospital on September 6, 2023.
Growing up, Don rode a horse most days to a one-room rural school on Slim Buttes Rd with 3 other students, then later attended Alpha School on Hwy 20. He always said he was too stupid for school and only had a 10th grade education.
Don’s first job was putting up telephone poles. As the skinny guy on the crew, he was the one designated to set the dynamite any time they hit rock.
He eventually started working for the railroad in Chadron, but 1953 – during the Korean war – he was sent to Fort Eustis VA, for 2 years as a Railway Locomotive Operator in the U-S Army’s 702 Transportation Group (Railway).
His father Harry told him to tell the Army that he was working for the railroad; that way he would ride instead of walk. Well, Don said, shoveling coal in a steam engine was hard work.
After the army, Don came back to Chadron and continued working for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad as a fireman, but in 1966 he became a locomotive engineer – a position he held until he retired in 1986.
Don was married 3 times, but it was for keeps when he married Judith Gregory on August 23rd, 1960. They remained married until she passed in 2021.
Don and Judy had a combined three sons and one daughter with 6 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his son Marcus (Cathy) Snyder and granddaughter Robin (Vernon) Scarrow; son Donald Ray (Donna) Pinkerton and granddaughter Bobbi (Scot VanLuvan) Deschamps; son Larry Pinkerton and grandson Orrin Pinkerton; son-in-law Wayne Mintken and granddaughter Melissa (Dave Lewis) Fox, grandson David (Anne) Fox, and granddaughter Victoria Mintken; 8 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren, and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife Judith Pinkerton, daughter Beverly Mintken, and great-granddaughter Krysteena Marie Deschamps
Chamberlain Chapel is in charge of arrangements for Don Pinkerton.
Don was alot of fun 2 be around. lf u were his friend, he was yours. Always left laughing after a airport or coffee house visit. U and Judy can now be together. U missed her.