Birth date: Nov 4, 1944 Death date: Dec 21, 2022
Dr. James M. Pinkerton Nov. 4, 1944-Dec. 21,2022 Preceeded in death by his beloved wife, Karen and parents, Mary (Porter) and Clyde M. Pinkerton. Survived by his daughter, Jennifer Pinkerton, son Jeffrey Pinkerton, granddaughter K Read Obituary
I was an enlisted member of the Vet office at Blytheville Air Force Base and served with Dr. Pinkerton. A very fine man and excellent Vet. Even back then He had an interest in sports cars. Sorry to see where He had passed away. Always had intentions of coming to his office in Memphis for a visit, but never did. Sincerely Donnie Knott, Milan, TN.
I was a high school classmate of Jim's in Dexter Missouri. In a class of about 100 students, we were the only ones who wanted to become veterinarians and liked to ride horses. His family moved to Alabama and he went to Auburn. I went to the University of Missouri. We both graduated from colleges of veterinary medicine in 1969 and both went into the Air Force. Unfortunately we never crossed paths again, but I remember Jim well as a very smart, kind, and caring person from my past.
It’s still bittersweet knowing that Dr. Pinkerton has transitioned.
Dr. Pinkerton was the very first person / Veterinarian to give me a shot at shadowing him at Raines Road Animal Hospital in 2017. I typed up a letter about my aspirations to become a Veterinarian and my desire to shadow him and sent it through email with the hopes that he would receive it and respond. Days later, Dr. Pinkerton gave me a call inviting me in to his practice and we talked before he blessed me with a schedule to return throughout the weeks for months, until I was hired on as a Veterinarian Assistant.
Throughout my time there, we bonded through similar aspirations we had as children, his teachings and guidance, his likable personality, his kind, patient and generous spirit and the respect and trust I witnessed him having from those who sought his service.
After getting an adopted family dog, I was determined to have Dr. Pinkerton care for him without knowing if he was still in practice. I made our 1st appointment for May, in which I found Dr. Pinkerton there. My heart was full seeing him to appear in great health, with the same bright smile and kindness.
I send my condolences to Dr. Pinkerton’s family and pray that the memories that everyone has of him brings warmth and comfort to your hearts.
-Latice
We will not be physically present at the service tomorrow, but we will be with Jim and his family in our hearts. He was a dear friend for over 50 years, & it's very hard to realize that he is gone. Even though he was not our regular veterinarian because we didn't live in the same place, we discussed our cats' problems with him on the phone, and frequently his advice was better than what we had already been given. I remember we had been told our 10-year-old Golda had kidney failure. He told us it was a thyroid problem & to take her to Radio Cat in Atlanta. We did and she lived another 11 and a half years! He was a great vet & an even better friend. He is definitely missed.
Treba Thompson
Dr. Pinkerton was all three of my dogs vet. He was so kind and personable. He took such good care of my babies and I will forever love him for that. He was a loving person. It hurt me so bad when I got the news. My prayers are with the family! Rest in peace Dr. Pinkerton!
Jim Pinkerton was my best friend. We met at Auburn in 1965. Jim’s wife and my future bride had sat next to each other in Freshman Orientation the previous year and had become friends. Finding much in common, they decided that we should get together socially. I don’t remember which couple hosted that first evening, but I found that Jim and I had a lot in common too. We were both in serious relationships, interested in cars, and living on a shoestring budget. We never seemed to run out of things to talk about.
When Jim’s marriage broke up, he was devastated. We spent many evenings talking things out and looking for a way forward for Jim. He gradually overcame his depression and started dating again.
That summer Jim’s dad rebuilt a Jaguar XKE (the number one sexiest car on the road at that time) and gave it to Jim to take back to school that Fall. He and I spent much of our very limited spare time fine tuning and playing with the Jag. It was the first car that I ever piloted over 140 miles per hour. Looking back on that time, I’m amazed that we both survived and managed to stay out of jail.
Jim started seriously dating a girl that my wife and I really didn’t like very much, but we made every effort to be friends with. After all, if Jim loved her who were we to say no about her. Their relationship grew, and Jim proposed. I was Best Man at the wedding. As Jim and I walked toward the Sanctuary, I opened an exit door from the church and pointed to my wife sitting in our car at the curb, engine idling, and offered Jim an escape route. He said no, that he should go ahead with his “obligation”. They went through a messy divorce a couple of years later.
I graduated that Spring and moved away from Auburn. Jim still had a year to go (Vet School is a five-year curriculum), but we stayed in touch and visited when we could. We lived in San Antonio, Texas, and Memphis was only a little bit out of the way on our annual visit to family in Birmingham, so we got together most years for a few days at least.
When we moved out of the USA in 1980, we stayed in touch by phone and voice tape. Not as good as in person visits, but better than writing letters.
In 1989 I took early retirement and the wife and I, along with our cats, went sailing. Most of the places we sailed to were third world countries with very limited, if any, veterinary facilities. Jim was our go-to veterinarian, and a very good one too.
On one of our rare trips back to the States we visited Jim in Memphis. One of our beloved kitties, Golda (yes, she was named after Golda Meir) was not doing well. We had been told she was in terminal kidney failure and would probably not last more than a few months. Jim looked her over and said that she had a thyroid problem, not kidney failure. He knew of a place that treated feline thyroid disease with radiation. Golda lived for ten more years after her treatment.
In recent years we have tried to get together in person as often as we could. Jim came to visit us on our boat a couple of times and we went to see him on our visits to the States. With the advent of Covid, travel became more difficult, but we stayed in touch via Zoom (computer video meetings).
During the few remissions in the pandemic, Jim visited us. We had already started making plans for a springtime trip when he passed. Speaking both for my wife Treba, and myself we’ll both miss Jim terribly.
Wayne and Treba Thompson
Dr. Pinkerton was a kind, loving individual who treated my cats for some time. I know he will be missed by his family and friends. The world was a softer, gentler place while he was in it.
Sincere condolences to Jim’s family. I was a high school classmate and teammate with him. Such a great guy then. Am not surprised at how he continued touching lives through the years.
Herb Gannon MD
Dr. Pinkerton was the first Veterinarian that I ever used back in 1977. He treated all my pets both dog and cats. He was always cheerful, helpful and gentle with them. He was a very nice man and he will be missed.
Last saw him in November 2022 when he treated by girl Royal successfully.
