Paul “Gary” Pinson Sr., 74 years old, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022, with his family at his bedside. He was born on Dec. 8, 1948, to James Drue and Ionine Lyons Pinson in Egan, La.
In his early work years, Gary drove trucks cross country for Murray Truax. After serving in the Army, Gary returned home and married his wife Pat in 1972. He retired from Montgomery Wards as a senior technician with 30 plus years, but his tireless dedication and work ethic led him to his second retirement as maintenance foreman at Sam Houston Jones State Park in 2017.
Gary was a lifelong Master Mason of Calcasieu Lodge 400. He was a wonderful example of a Mason, a husband, a father and a friend. He always had time for others and was the first to lend a hand to someone in need. Gary will be remembered as having strong values, was hardworking, determined, and treated everyone with fairness. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and could also build and fix anything.
Those left to cherish his memory are, his wife of 50 years, Patsy Dean Patin Pinson; his son, Paul Pinson Jr.; his daughter, Kristy and husband Brad Cradeur; his grandchildren, Gavin and Conner Cradeur and Carolanne Kelly; sister-in-law, Iris Pinson; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and his three siblings, Thomas Pinson, Ronald Pinson and Joyce Meyers.
Visitation will be at Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2022, and will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 11 a.m.; at 1 p.m. A Masonic funeral service will be held at the funeral home. Chaplin Jeff Hopper will officiate.