Timothy Clarence Pinnell

When he was 16 years old, Tim forged his father’s signature so he could serve his country in the U.S. Navy. He went into the Navy in 1967 and served in the Naval Air Force. After advanced training in Olathe, Kansas and later in California, Tim was sent to Vietnam where he served from 1969 to 1970, bringing home the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. Tim was an aviation electronic technician, earning the rank of E4 (3rd Class Petty Officer) before his discharge. Counting time on inactive reserve, it was 1973 before he was officially discharged. (Writeup by the Westphalia Historical Society). Tim served 13 consecutive months in Vietnam before coming home.

Tim was a 1968 graduate of Fatima high school. He was a supervisor at Westinghouse/ABB for 31 years until his retirement in 2006. He was also a bartender for Dave’s Tavern off and on since 1972. Upon his return from Vietnam and honorable discharge, Tim found his love of soap operas and quilting with his mom. In his earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing on the family farm in Westphalia. Tim was a man of many talents, from wood working to electrical, to pluming to pouring concrete. He never needed an instruction manual (although every project seemed to come with “extra parts”), and could accomplish anything he set his mind to. He owned multiple grills and enjoyed his time grilling for friends and family, and enjoyed spending time in his “Dog House”. He was a proud member of the American Legion Post 317 in Freeburg. He had a nickname for everyone, as they did for him. He could always be found with a remote in hand, and had a daily routine of his game shows, soap operas, and NCIS. As the 13th grandchild, Tim was born on the 13th, and the number became lucky for the family. He was affectionately known as “Papa Tim” by his grandchildren, who were the lights of his life. He loved his family dearly and will be greatly missed by them all.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years: Jean; daughters: Dawn Parris (Brent) and April Holtmeyer (Troy) both of Taos; sisters: Alice Eichholz (Norman) and Jane Oliver (Leroy); grandchildren: Logan Pinnell (Maddy), Sydney Parris, Maggie Parris, Amelia Holtmeyer and Max Parris; one great-grandaughter: Rennen, and one great-grandson on the way, to carry on the Pinnell family name; sisters-in-law: Brenda Forck (Norman) and Bev Boessen (J.P.); brothers-in-law: Gerry, Stan (Mary Kay), Winston (Debby), Doug (Karen) and Lou D (Twyla) Kliethermes; numerous nieces and nephews; and his special Sunday afternoon friends at Dave’s. He was preceded in death by his brothers: James Maasen and Bert Pinnell; in-laws: Oscar and Eva “Maggie” Kliethermes; and furry-friends: Petey, Red, “Baby” and Lugnut.