John William Pinkerton

John William Pinkerton passed away Monday, October 9, 2023 at the age of 81.

John was born in Alexandria, Louisiana to James and Maudie Barron Pinkerton.  He was raised in the Methodist faith.  He grew up in Pineville, Louisiana and graduated from Pineville High School in 1960. 

After graduating from high school, John attended and graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English in 1965.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served his country for two years.  After his time in the service, he moved to Houston, Texas to join his mother and dad who had moved there for work.  They soon moved to Bryan, Texas, and John followed them there and began looking for a job.  He heard of a job opening at Somerville High School for an English teacher and although he had never thought about being a teacher, he decided to go to Somerville to learn more about the job.  He met with the superintendent and signed a contract before leaving the same day.  He enrolled at Texas A&M and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Education while teaching.  John taught high school English for 25 years at SHS.  He also sponsored UIL activities and taught the yearbook classes.  After his 25 years as a teacher, the school was in need of a librarian at all three campuses, and he was hired for this position which he held for 10 years.

John married Linda Law Pinkerton on May 30, 1969.  They lived in College Station for three months while he was attending Texas A&M and then moved to Somerville when school started.  Linda went on to attend Blinn Jr. College and Texas A&M and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and joined John in teaching at Somerville High School.  After 35 years in education for John and 30 for Linda, they retired together in 2003.

Following retirement, John pursued his love for art.  He had been painting since his childhood years and decided to spend time working on his art skills.  He began painting different pictures of cats to improve his skills.  Soon after, an art gallery, Art C’s, opened in Somerville.  The two owners convinced him to have a showing of his cat paintings.  His first show was Cats, Cats, and More Cats and was a very successful showing.  He soon became known as the Cat Man of Somerville.  Following this show, he extended his art work into painting people pictures, all types of animals, and abstracts.  He had several different shows and was very successful.  After becoming ill and no longer able to go to his studio, John said that he painted in his mind every day.

Another hobby that became a passion for him was the creation of his website:  oldartguy.com.  He loved to write and recently finished his 500^th essay.  He included on his site essays from many friends who also enjoyed writing as well as artwork of his and many other artists.  He went on to combine many of his essays into books and published five books.

Other hobbies included playing golf, shopping for antique glass, and Fantasy Football. 

John was preceded in death by his parents, James Pinkerton and Maudie and Stepfather, Shelton Speir; one sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Norman Benson; two brothers, Jerry Pinkerton and James Pinkerton, Jr.; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Eddie and Erma Law, and numerous cousins and friends.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Linda Law Pinkerton; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Charles and Karen Law; nieces, Samantha Samuel and husband, Fred, Thresa Pinkerton, and Korina Herbert; nephews, Joshua Pinkerton and Kenneth Law and wife, Andrea along with numerous great nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Joshua Pinkerton, Joe Antkowiak, Russell Bentke, Ervin Meier, Paul Hord, Chris Renshaw, Noe McCarthy, and David Wilson.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Lynda York, Alice Lewis, Kim Zientek, Dwight McAllister, and Dick Meyer.

Memorials may be made to the Somerville Education Foundation, Hospice Brazos Valley, or the charity of your choice.