Charles R. Pilkinton

Roddy, born April 2, 1944, in Shreveport, La., was the second son of James R. Pilkinton Sr. and Louise R. Pilkinton. A native of Elm Grove La., Roddy and his beloved brother “Jimmy” helped their dad with the family farm raising cattle and hay.

Fiercely independent, Roddy was carrying a rifle by the age of seven. He loved hunting squirrel, fishing and frogging along the bayou behind the farm with his brother and cousins.

Teenager Roddy, walked tall the halls of Bossier High School, proud to be a BearKat. Roddy was a wild card, well liked, respected and known to never back down from a fight. He met his lifelong friend, Richie Jackson, at Bossier High, following a tussle between them! He was also known as the teen, who miraculously survived wiping out six cars of individuals parked on Cyprus Lake bridge, who were fishing. He said the whooping his dad gave him hurt worse!

Roddy graduated from Northwestern State University, in Natchitoches, La. His fitness and strength won him the title of the NSU Middle Weight Lifting Champion. He was proud to be a member of the FIRST pledge class of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Theta-Nu Chapter.

After graduating from NSU, Roddy, followed in his brother Jimmy’s footsteps, joining the U.S. Marine Corp, during the Vietnam War. Like his brother, Roddy volunteered to join the elite Marine Reconnaissance. Where, as a part of a small group of four to seven men, he conducted surveillance and call for fire missions, behind enemy lines. These missions were often extremely dangerous as Recon teams were always heavily outnumbered (100 to 1). After surviving a tour as a Recon Marine, he was commissioned as an officer. During his voluntary tour, as a 2nd Lieutenant, he led a platoon of marines in multiple fierce battles for control of the hills around the Khe Sanh Combat base. The fighting around Khe Sanh was some of the most intense fighting of the Vietnam War. During the fighting, he was wounded by a mortar attack and sent home. As recognition of his courageous and heroic service in Vietnam, he was awarded rare and elite medals.

After his medical discharge, Roddy returned to Bossier City and served as a police officer. He enjoyed his time riding his motorcycle down to his family farm, spending time with his close friends and began to practice Tai Kwon Do, earning a second degree Brown Belt. Soon, he began his lifelong career, until retirement, working with International Paper in accounting. During his time with I.P., he began a co-career as a real estate agent with Montgomery Real Estate. Later, he formed Pilkinton Real Estate as an independent Broker. Roddy was also a lifetime cattleman.

He loved and raised his cows at his family homestead. Roddy was a man of deep Catholic faith. He fiercely loved and defended his family. His marriages gifted him his two beloved children, Robin and James. Also, his step children, Jeremy and Jessica; whom, he loved and raised as his own. He was Paw Paw to his four grandchildren; Christine, Caitlin, Michael and Catheryn-Margaret.

He loved to brag about his children and grandchildren, especially James, who was his mini me. James not only resembled him, he also inherited the famous Pilkinton strength. Roddy was especially proud, when James joined the Marine Corps.

As Paw Paw, he babysat his grandchildren often. He taught Caitlin how to ski on Cypress Lake, where, he had skied growing up. He spent many hours with his grandson, Michael, sharing stories of his days in Vietnam. These stories inspired Michael to also join the Marines.

Roddy led his life guided by the principles of faith and integrity. After reading the book, he strove to live his life taking “The Road Less Traveled.” He was inspired by the film “Walking Tall”. He instilled these values deeply into each of his children and grandchildren.

Roddy is preceded in death by his father, mother, brother and the love of his life, Amy Tauzin Pilkinton. He is survived by his daughter Robin J. Covington, his son James E. Pilkinton II, step-children Jessica and Jeremy Malmay, his 4 grandchildren Christine Reddy, Caitlin, Michael and Catheryn-Margaret Covington and his niece and nephew.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Hill Crest Memorial Chapel starting at 9:00 am. Immediately following the service, visitation with family will be held in the stateroom prior to departure for burial at Memory Lawn Cemetery in Natchitoches, La. There, he will be laid next to his wife and eternal love, Amy. He will be greatly missed by his family and loved ones…gone, but never forgotten.