Harvey Louis Pinkerton, 83, a long-time resident of Yerington, Nevada, passed away of natural causes in his home on Tuesday, December 10, 2019.
Harvey was born in Fremont, Nebraska on October 2, 1936. His life adventures started when he left home at 15 to live with his cousin in California, but he soon made his way to the Santa Margarita Ranch in Mason Valley to work with other relatives. After a couple of years, He moved from ranching to a job at Thrifty Market in Yerington.
In 1955, he met the love of his life, Marian Matheus. They were married in November 1956 and enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Together they raised four children; sons Robert, Dennis, and David, and daughter Lori. To make a better life for his growing family, Harvey moved up to being a butcher at Thrifty Market in 1961. In 1967, he became a juvenile probation officer for Lyon County. He later became Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, retiring from this position in 1996. He was active in community affairs serving as a City Councilman from 1961-1973, then Mayor from 1973-1975. He also served as a Volunteer Firefighter for the Mason Valley Fire Department. In retirement, Harvey and Marian enjoyed life in the same Yerington home in which they raised their family. Many rounds of golf, numerous hunting and fishing excursions (including a hunting trip to South Africa with his son Dennis), and an overseas trip to New Zealand and Australia occupied his time. Harvey was an active member of the Roman Catholic Church, and a former member of the Mason Valley Lions Club and Rotary Club. He coached little league, and as a member of the Beefeaters, he supported the athletes of the University of Nevada at Reno.
Harvey was a man of slight build who cast a giant shadow over Mason Valley. For decades, his name has been synonymous with his beloved Yerington, a place he loved and lauded with all his heart. Harv was that guy… the one who could always be counted on. He looked after the elderly in his community with all the tender attention and care that one can only expect to find in a small town. He helped transform the lives of many a wayward youth who grew to lovingly refer to him as "Uncle Harv…the man who saved me." Though he was not born here, he became a true son of Nevada, the state he loved. He was as much a part of the Silver State as the hills, rivers and plains that once beckoned him to come wander, get lost and finally find himself. Now there is one more star to shine brightly over the place and the people he loved.
Harvey was preceded in death by his father and mother, John and Goldie Pinkerton, brothers, Albert and Louis, and daughter-in-law, Denisa Pinkerton. He is survived by his wife Marian, sons Robert (Anne) of Denver, Dennis (Melanie) of Yerington, David (Deborah) of Philadelphia, daughter Lori of Reno, his brother John (Mary Jo), sister Goldie (Fred), 10 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
A Rosary will be recited 7:00 pm
on Tuesday, December 17th
at The Holy Family Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at The Holy Family Catholic Church 11:00 am,
Wednesday, December 18th.
Burial will be held immediately after mass at the Valley View Cemetery, with a reception to follow at the Catholic Center.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Holy Family Catholic Church at
103 Northwest Street, Yerington, Nevada 89447
.
Please share your thoughts, memories, and condolences in the family guestbook in person at the remembrance of life
on December 18th
, or on the virtual guestbook a
t
www.FRFH.net.
a
lso sympathy cards can be sent directly to the family from this site.
Arrangements are under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911
