Mr Raymond Floyd Pinkard

Raymond Floyd Pinkard was born January 03, 1929. He was 7th out of 10 children. He Joined the Army in 1947, trained in North Alabama, then went to Texas and was based in San Francisco. He talked about what a beautiful city San Francisco was in the early 1950’s. He was reassigned to Japan and spent 2 tours of duty there. He talked about the kind, courteous Japanese people and being invited to holiday dinners, being surprised when they served a big “goldfish” cooked with head and all. After leaving the Army he returned home to Madison and went to work with The Farmers Coop for several years until he was hired by the City of Madison, working with the Water Department, reading meters around town. Then on to a short stint as a Policeman and then to the Fire Department. Staying for 50+ years. He was Fire Chief for over 30 years. He always spoke highly of his career and the good people he worked with. He met Evelyn Albritton, who worked at Roberts Drug Store (Comer’s Drugs) and he was a Fireman. They married in 1960. Jerry was born in April 1961 and Kenny came along in October 1964. We lived in an apartment above the Fire Department. It was very much like growing up in “Mayberry”, a big extended family and everyone in town knew each other. I always remember Daddy reading to me and Kenny at bedtime. Time Life had a series of books, Places, People, Animals…. this would be our routine. He would read, and then make up stories about the pictures. This would be the start of our love of books. When we were in Elementary School, things were changing in the Country. As desegregation took effect, both Daddy and Momma took it to heart. I remember them telling us that “we all have to live together in the world” so the four of us visited our schools, met teachers and that was that. Thinking back now they must have been worried about us, but they never let on that anything was different. I will always remember Daddy saying, “no one gets to pick what color they will be when they come into this world”. Since we had such a big extended family, there were always Sunday Dinners at Grandparents, Cookouts, & Holidays - everyone was included. As we grew older this included our friends who may not have had a place to go for Easter Dinner or the 4th of July cookout. We were expected to bring them with us. When there were new firemen or policemen, they had an open invitation, or they would have a plate of food sent to the Station. Raymond and Evelyn made sure everyone was taken care of. Daddy loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing and gardening were his hobbies. Momma shared his love of gardening and fishing and every chance they had they were planting, picking, or fishing. They thoroughly enjoyed their retirement years. Their life brightened more with the addition of two Grandsons, Dylan and Brandan. They were able to enjoy a repeat performance of having two boys again. The grandboys were the light of their lives. They both lived long and fruitful lives and enjoyed their retirement years together. They were always interested in the “goings-on” of their boys. They loved to hear of our travels and Daddy would tell of his adventures as a young man in the Army traveling about the world. I always remembering them saying “we just want you boys to be happy and have a good life” Kenny and I were truly blessed by God with a wonderful Father and Mother. They taught us the ways of life, the importance of responsibility, of family and of kindness in everything we do. We both carry this with us today and try our best to live up to Raymond & Evelyn’s expectations. I pray they are both looking down at us today, smiling, knowing what a wonderful job they completed in this world. A Graveside service will be held Friday, September 18, 2020 at ll:00 at Pineland Cemetery. (Oak Ridge Cemetery # 2.)

Mr Raymond Floyd Pinkard

January 3, 1929 - September 16, 2020