Joseph Walter Pinson

1938 – 2012

Joseph W. Pinson, 73, died Saturday, May 05, 2012 at his home surrounded by his family.

He was born December 07, 1938 in Rayne, Louisiana to Rev. and Mrs. James C. Pinson.

Joe was a 1958 graduate of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community college where he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. Following graduation from William Carey University in 1960, he began Marine Corps Officer’s Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. Upon completion, he entered Naval Flight Training Pensacola. A decorated Vietnam veteran, he served 24 years active duty as a Marine aviator. Following retirement, he and his family returned to Pensacola where he was a Naval Flight Simulator Instructor at Whiting Field for 12 years.

Joe was a member of Olive Baptist Church where he was a choir member and Sunday School teacher. He liked to say that one of his life’s greatest accomplishments was to have had the honor of serving on the Pastor Search Committee in 1990 that brought Dr. Ted Traylor to be Pastor at Olive.

A nationally ranked tennis player, he was a member of the Professional Tennis Registry. Joe won many tennis matches at the local, state, regional and national levels. He and longtime doubles partner, Bill Kellenberger, were ranked #1 in Florida 60’s Doubles players in 1998.

He is survived by his loving wife, Darlene; daughters, Lauren (Ralph) Lee and Melissa (Jeff) Hatch; son, Kyle (Debbie); grandchildren, Lindsey Coffey, Madison Hatch, Jared Hatch; brother, James W. (Celeste) Pinson; sisters-in-law, Sandra (Bill) Spears and Helen Scarbrough.

He was preceded in death by his parents and recently his brother-in-law and best friend, Arlan Scarbrough.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Olive Baptist Church. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, May 11, 2012 at Olive Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Olive Baptist Church Music Ministry, 1836 Olive Road, Pensacola, FL 32514 or online at www.olivebaptist.org.

BAYVIEW FISHER-POU CHAPEL, 3351 Scenic Hwy. is entrusted with arrangements.

Condolences may be offered at www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com.