John Robert Pinkerton

      John Robert Pinkerton, 87, of Marion, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 1, 2023.

     John was born in Buncombe County, NC on November 21, 1935, to the late Claude Lee Pinkerton and Bertha Hyatt Pinkerton. He was married to his wife of 64 years, Reba Harris Pinkerton, who passed away in 2021. John was a corrections officer who retired from the NC Department of Adult Corrections after many years of dedicated service. Following his retirement, he worked at Steel Creek Park for over 30 years. John was a member of the Wagon Master Square Dancing Group and was the type of man who would give the shirt off his back to help another. His life’s fulfillment was serving others. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.

     In addition to his wife and parents, John was preceded in death by two infant children, Paul Rodney Pinkerton and Laura Leigh Pinkerton; a brother, Charles Pinkerton; and a granddaughter in law, Megan Grant Pinkerton.

     Those left to cherish his memory include a son, Larry Pinkerton and wife Pat; two brothers, Grady Pinkerton and Harry Pinkerton; four grandchildren, Danny Pinkerton, Stacy Pinkerton, Crystal Plemmons and husband Brad, and Josh Buckner and wife Kennedy; ten great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.  

     A funeral service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 3, 2023 at the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service. Rev. Dwayne Turner will officiate. Interment will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery in Old Fort. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.