A native of Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late Marvin J. Pinson, Sr. and Mary Ethel Shealy Pinson.
He is survived by his wife, Lorynn “Tootsie” Adderholdt Pinson, sons, David (Bibby) of Burlington, NC, Fred (Angel) of Greensboro, NC. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Brian Pinson, Katie Pinson, Mary Kristine Aron (Brandon), Emily Avetta (PJ) and six great grandchildren. He was also survived by god daughters, Lisa Jones Garrett and Carrie Norman.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Jerry Hudson Pinson and second wife Mary Watson (Watty) Flora Pinson, and by his son John Pinson.
Mr. Pinson was a 1946 graduate of Clemson University, the Management School at University of Virginia, and from the Advanced Management program at Harvard University, was on the Board of Directors at Averett College and the Board of Advisors at Clemson University. While at Clemson, he was a member of Beta Sigma Beta Honor Society, Pershing Rifles Drill Team and member of Alpha Chi Psi fraternity.
He served in the US Army during the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, serving initially as a Basic Training Drill Instructor at Ft. Meade, MD and then as S/SSgt in the 6th Armored Division in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. Marvin then attended Officers Candidate School, graduating as a distinguished graduate from the Infantry Officer School at Ft. Benning, GA and then served as an 1st Lieutenant Instructor at the Infantry Officer School, and as a United Nations Forces Instructor for South Korean and Japanese Army officers.
He joined Dan River Mills in 1946 as a management trainee in Danville, VA. He joined Burlington Industries in 1955 in Drakes Branch, VA, later managing manufacturing plants in Raeford, NC, Lexington, NC, Halifax, VA, and Clarksville, VA. He retired as Group Vice President of Manufacturing for Burlington after 31 years, having manufacturing responsibility for the Menswear Division, Industrial Fabrics Division, Automotive Division, Knit Fabrics Division, Glass Fabrics Division, Burlington Wool Company, with manufacturing plants in the United States, Germany, Mexico, Canada, and Italy.
Mr. Pinson was Chairman of the Halifax County, VA United Way, President of the South Boston, VA Rotary Club, and Halifax County YMCA. He served as President of the Raeford, NC Lions Club, Assistant Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts in Lexington, NC and was a member of the South Carolina Textile Manufacturer’s Association.
After retirement, he was an Instructor at Clemson University and served on the Board of Directors of the Greensboro Kiwanis Club and Well Spring Retirement Community. He also served as a tutor at Foust Elementary School and Kernodle Middle School.
Mr. Pinson was a man of strong faith serving as Clerk of Session, Elder, Deacon, and Sunday school teacher for Presbyterian Church USA in Raeford, NC, Lexington, NC, South Boston, VA, and Greensboro, NC – where he was active with the Extended Communion Ministry and Habitat for Humanity.
He was a loving son, husband, father, grandfather, business colleague, and friend who firmly believed that he had a long, happy and wonderful life.
Special thanks to the HealthCare, Rehab, Dining, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Security, Grounds, and administrative staff at Well Spring Retirement Community where he had lived for 21 years. He made lifelong friends with the residents and with the caring, compassionate and helpful staff, who he considered true friends.
A memorial service celebrating Marvin’s life will be held Saturday, 2:00 p.m., February 26, 2022 at the WellSpring Theatre. Friends will be received following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Marvin J. Pinson Jr ‘46 Scholarship Endowment, Clemson University, 110 Daniel Drive, Clemson, SC 29631 or to the Health Care Endowment, Well Spring Retirement Community, 4100 Well Spring Drive, Greensboro, NC 27410 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 617 N. Elm Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.
Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
