SSG (Ret) John Anthony Dinkins Sr.

SSG (Ret) John Anthony Dinkins Sr., 80, of Peachtree City Ga, a devoted husband, loving father, esteemed Vietnam Veteran, and Masonic Member of Lodge #145 passed away peacefully on December 16, 2024. He was the first child to the late Mr. Richard Mitchell and Ms. Lauvon Dinkins born on January 3,1944 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his loving Aunt Thelma Floyd and his beautiful sister Pearl Brown.

John was called to serve his country in 1969, drafted as a young private to 7th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Brigade out of Ft. Bragg, NC. John was deployed to Vietnam with 4th Infantry Division in September of 1969 and fought, like he did in all aspects of his life, with honor, courage, and steadfast dedication. As a young soldier, John was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device for valor & heroism in multiple battles including the infamous battle of Hamburger Hill. John completed his tour of duty in Vietnam at end of 1970 and upon returning to America decided to make a career of the Army.

That decision would lead him to meeting the love of his life, Laura Jean Scott, while serving as a Military Train Conductor in Bremerhaven, Germany in 1977. With 42 years of military service between John & Laura Dinkins, their careers spanned across five worldwide locations: US Army CID - Detroit, Michigan (where their oldest son John Dinkins Jr. was born in 1978), Ft. Eustis, Virginia, US Army-West Berlin, Germany (where their youngest son Carlos Dinkins was born in 1983), and Ft. McPherson + Ft. Gillem, Atlanta, Ga.

After retirement, John continued his dedication to military service working for 18 years as a fuel & transportation support civilian for the US Naval Air Station in Marietta, Ga.

In his free time, John loved to Golf, travel & cruise overseas with his loving wife, watch his sons play basketball and wrestle, slam his winning hand down in whatever card game he was playing, say “you don’t know nothin’ bout that” when a really good oldies song came on, laugh loud enough to break the sound barrier when one of his friends called, consistently mix up the names of his sons when he’s yelling at them to get him a drink from the “Fridge-A-Dater”, walk around the house naked making sure his family knew that “this is my house”, yell “AYYY” at the top of his lungs to signal to his sons that they had way too many people over the house after hours, and watch every single Atlanta Braves game on “his” couch.

To Celebrate a Life Well Lived and to carry forth his tradition of honor, courage, sacrifice, selfless service to his country, and commitment to his family, John “Butch” Dinkins Sr is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Laura S. Dinkins; his children, John A. Dinkins, Jr. (wife Jessica), Carlos L. Dinkins Sr., Kim Kennebrew (husband Lawrence), and MSG (Ret) LaTanya Dinkins. John's presence will be deeply missed by his grandchildren: Brooklyn A. Dinkins, John A. Dinkins III, Mason C. Dinkins, Carlos L. (Charlie) Dinkins Jr., and Ronald L. Buncombe Jr. He also leaves behind his sisters, Nadiyah Clark, Paula Blue, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends who were touched by his kindness and warmth.

Special acknowledgements go to Bishop Collier Starks, Ms. Ronda Baker, and the compassionate caregivers who became a part of John's extended family. The ICU doctors, nurses, and staff at City of Hope and the Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Newnan, GA, provided comfort and care during his final days.

Truly one of one, John will be remembered for his unwavering strength, his affable and hilarious attitude, his larger-than-life persona, and the love he shared with all who knew him.

A visitation for John will be held Thursday, December 26, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Carmichael-Hemperley Funeral Home & Crematory, 135 Senoia Rd, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024 at 11:00 AM, in the funeral home chapel. Interment to follow the service, at Westminster Memorial Gardens, 2090 GA Hwy 54, Peachtree City, GA 30269.