Richard Patrick Pinks

Richard Patrick Pinks, 92 of Gainesville, Florida passed away on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at the VA Hospital in Gainesville. Richard was born March 16, 1933, in Bismarck, North Dakota where he resided until 1965 when he moved his family to Melbourne, Florida.

Being the second oldest of 7, Richard quit school at an early age to go to work to help support the family. Richard married Ione Feickert in 1952 and was drafted into the Army shortly thereafter where he served during the Korean conflict for two years.

Upon his Honorable Discharge he returned to Bismarck where he had successful careers as a firefighter, business owner, and assisted his Dad, William Pinks with many commercial painting jobs.

In 1965 Richard relocated his family to Melbourne, Florida where he went to work as a salesman for Richards’ Paint Manufacturing Company in Rockledge, Florida. He was promoted to Vice President/General Manager and remained in that capacity many years until his retirement in 1989.

His retirement years were spent fishing, traveling, spending time at his beloved second home in Maggie Valley, NC and woodworking, becoming proficient in a woodworking art form known as Intarsia. His creations are cherished by those fortunate enough to have been gifted one.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Pinks, bothers William Jr., Lester, Eugene, Jerry, sisters Darlene and Delores as well as his son Ronald Richard Pinks. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Ione Pinks, daughter Connie Brecheen (Michael), Lake City, FL and son Donald Pinks of Gainesville, FL as well as five grandchildren, Marche Scott, Ronald Pinks Jr. (Anna), Kaitlin Scott (Lexie), Dane Pinks, Morgan Pinks, eight great-grandchildren, Kyle Scott, Kendall Scott, Kennedy Horne, Taylor Townsend, Reese Scott-Collier, and Brooks Scott-Collier, Caroline Pinks, Margo Pinks, and one great, great, grandchild, Kace Jones, as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Baptist Church, 7100 NW 39th Ave., Gainesville, FL 32601, where Richard and his wife Ione, were members for many years. https://gracefl.net/give/