PINSON, SR., CLOYDE C., Touched the lives of his family, his friends, and thousands upon thousands of American veterans he would never have the opportunity to meet in person. As Chairman of the National Cemetery Committee, Mr. Pinson worked relentlessly for fifteen years to bring his dream of a final, honorable, resting place for North Texas veterans to fruition. His passion for this project was fueled by two very distinct aspects of his personality, his love of family and his love of country. In 1967, he lost his son, Pfc. Marine Cloyde C. Pinson, Jr. fighting in Viet Nam. Encouraged by his family, Mr. Pinson took his first steps to make the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery the magnificent reality it is today for all veterans and their families to seek refuge and find comfort. A native of Ohio, Cloyde C. Pinson, Sr. was born September 25, 1922, but as the saying goes, "He got to Texas as fast as he could." On his way to Texas, he served his country and he served it well. He entered the Army in 1941 with his twin brother, Clyde at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Soon he was on his way to Casa Blanca, Rabat, and Oran in North Africa; followed by tours in Naples, Santa Maria, Volurno Valley, Anzio, Rome, Leghorn, and Pisa through Italy as World War II continued. He transferred to the Air Force in 1947 and completed tours of duty in German and France, participating in the Berlin Airlift. In conjunction with many stateside assignments, he retired as a Mustang Captain in 1961 after 21 years of active duty. He continued his service to his country for the next 22 years as the Air Force Plant Representative at General Dynamics in Fort Worth, overseeing work on the F16 fighter among many other projects. In 1983, he retired and his REAL job began...the creation of the National Cemetery in North Texas. While serving as Chairman of the Texas National Cemetery Foundation since 1989, Mr. Pinson also held positions as American Legion Post Commander in Grand Prairie for six years; District Adjutant and Vice Commander, and Post Judge Advocate; Charter Commander, Pinson Memorial Chapter, Military Order of the World Wars; Life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, The Military Officers Association of America, and the Military Order of the World Wars. He also spearheaded the Veterans Day Parade in downtown Dallas for many years. Among his list of honors and awards are the AMVETS Silver Helmet for Patriotic Achievement; MOWW Silver Medal for Patriotic Achievement; Good Samaritan of the Year bestowed upon him by Dallas Baptist University. In addition to all of this service to and for his country, Cloyde C. Pinson, Sr. approached his role as husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather with the same love, dedication, and enthusiasm. Preceded in death by his son, Cloyde C. Pinson, Jr., Mr. Pinson is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy Pinson, his daughter Diane Brown Wallace, his grandson, Patrick Wallace, his granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Wendy and Chad Tiedt, and two great grandchildren, Margaret and Drew Tiedt. This gentle giant of a man with the heart of a lion and compassion of a lamb has left a lasting legacy upon the Dallas/Fort Worth area in the form of the National Cemetery where he will now rest beside his son...a job well done. Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Marney Wasserman will officiate. Burial will follow at Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Texas National Cemetery Foundation, P. O. Box 530869, Grand Prairie, TX 75053-0869.

Dallas Morning News, April 16, 2006