Les Pinson

Martin Leslie "Les" Pinson, 93 , of Pearce, AZ. departed this life on December 8, 2012. Born December 3, 1919 in Phoenix, AZ. Les has been a resident in the Pearce area for over thirty years. He grew up in Phoenix and San Francisco where he was a graduate of both Phoenix High School and San Francisco Business College. Les honorably served in the US Army, Fox Company, l65th Reg.,27th Infantry Division during World War II in the Pacific Theater where he received numerous awards and citations including a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts. He was given a battlefield commission to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, and after the war was separated at the rank of Captain. During the Korean War, he served in the 3rd Armored Division, climbing to his final military rank of Major. After separation from military service, he married and started his long association in the electrical industry with General Electric and Westinghouse. He was later the manager of Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Co-Op in Willcox, Az. for ll years, during which time was a group member responsible for acquiring grants to build Northern Cochise Community Hospital in Willcox, AZ. He relocated with R. C. Lurie to Tucson, AZ before retiring in Pearce. Les was an active member in the Elks, Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts, 4-H and Kiwanis. He was also a member of NOBC, DAV, VFW and the Golf Association. Les enjoyed playing golf, traveling and gardening. Les is survived by his loving wife Patricia of Pearce, daughters Patricia Meyers of Tucson and Marta Nelson (Phillip) of Thatcher, stepchildren Beverly King of Willcox and Linda Shearer (Mark) of Ft. Collins, CO, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, sister Grace Marcia (Charles) of Sebastopol, CA. and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Grace & Martin, his first wife, Sally and siblings Jack, Etta, Pauline, Mildred and Roba. Private memorial services will be held at a later date at Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Az. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in his name to: VFW Building Fund: Martin "Les" Pinson, P.O. Box 449, Pearce, Az. 85625; VA Hospice Unit, 360l S. 6th Ave., Tucson, AZ 85723, or a charity of your choice. Arrangements were provided by Westlawn Chapel and Mortuary, Willcox, AZ.

Les Pinson

December 3, 1919 - December 8, 2012