Air Force plane mechanic Earnest Pinkley in 1952.
Earnest Pinkley in 2012.
The late Earnest Pinkley joined the Air Force in 1952 at age 20. That same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Alta Bailey, while he was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.
“After graduating from aircraft engine mechanic school, he was appointed to teach that same class for three years,” Alta said. “He was then transferred to Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla., where he worked on B-29 bomber airplanes until he was honorably discharged in 1955.”
She said they were “blessed” that she was able to live with him for those four years, as well as have their first child born at the Tyndall Air Force Hospital.
“After returning to Festus, Earnest worked at La Roche Chemical plant until he retired after 40 years of service,” Alta said. “Earnest volunteered 14 years at Living Springs Camp, a ministry of Second Baptist Church, doing maintenance work.”
“We had a wonderful, happy life until his death in June 2021, at age 89,” Alta said.
