David Elliott Pinkston

David Elliott Pinkston, 82, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Monday, August 2, 2010, at his home. He was born in Macon, son of the late Georgia Jewell Elliott Pinkston and John David Pinkston, and moved to Albany while in elementary school. He graduated from Albany High School, LeTourneau Technical Institute in Longview, Texas, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955, and was stationed in South Korea, where he flew fighter planes on night intruder missions during the Korean Conflict. He returned to Macon in 1958, and worked at the Macon Water Authority until he retired as its General Manager in 1981. He spent the early years of his retirement playing golf, volunteering with Meals on Wheels and the English Language Institute at Mercer University in between traveling with Connie. But, their favorite pastime was being with their grandchildren. Mr. Pinkston is survived by his wife of 58 years, Connie Thomas Pinkston; son David Elliott Pinkston, Jr. and his wife Carol of Hendersonville, TN; son Thom Pinkston and his wife Janet of Warner Robins; daughter Loretta Lynn Pinkston of Atlanta; sister Martha Pinkston Pascullis Jones of Statesboro; grandchildren Kelly Pinkston Coldiron and her husband Matthew of Flowery Branch; Erin Cassidy Pinkston, Cory Lynne Pinkston and Christen Pinkston of Hendersonville, TN; Kelly Poston, United States Army, Minnesota; Caleb Poston, United States Army, Iraq, and his wife Michelle of Olympia, Washington; Lauren Poston of Warner Robins; great grandson Alexander Poston; daughter-in-law Linda Shurley and son-in-law once removed, Carl Shurley, of Macon; and a loving extended family that includes Connie's siblings, nieces, nephews and cousins. The family wishes to express its appreciation to the many warm and loving health providers at Amedisys Home Health and Hospice of Central Georgia, who gently cared for him at his home over the past several years and during recent weeks, respectively, and the Veteran's Administration who provided equipment that allowed him a level of mobility that he otherwise would not have had. Words cannot express the gratitude that we owe to Drs. Rudolph and Zoe Jones, whose medical care through the years enabled this dear man to live a longer and more active life. The family will greet friends from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Wednesday August 4, at Hart's Mortuary Cherry Street. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday August 5, at Hart's Mortuary, Cherry Street, followed by burial at 4:00 pm at Crown Hill Cemetery in Albany, Georgia, with Rev. Ben Taylor officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Milner Baptist Church, P.O. Box 100, Milner, GA 30257, or the Salvation Army of Macon, GA. Register online at www.hartsmort.com Hart's Mortuary and Crematory, Cherry Street, has charge of arrangements.