Thomas Stedman Pinney Jr.

Thomas Stedman Pinney Jr., 93 years old, of Sturgeon Bay, passed away Monday, March 23, 2026.

He was born July 9, 1932, in Sturgeon Bay, the son of the late Thomas and Joyce (Otis) Pinney Sr. Tom graduated from Sturgeon Bay High School in 1950 and continued his education at U.W. Madison, receiving his BS in Landscape Design/Business with honors in 1954. He obtained his Master's Degree in Ornamental Horticulture, with honors at Ohio State University in 1955, where he served as a teaching assistant for the world-famous Horticulture Professor Dr. L.C. Chadwick, with whom he became lifelong friends. He continued his education at Syracuse University in the Nursery Management Conference.

He was a member of various Fraternities, Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, Gamma Sigma Delta, Phi Alpha XI, and Sigma XI
Tom was in ROTC at Madison and wanted to serve his country even after marching his squad into a wall. Tom's eyesight would prevent him from military service. All who knew Tom recognized his intelligence. He excelled at memorizing anything, which aided his quest for knowledge and self-improvement.
On June 15, 1954, he married Myra Kruse at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church. She preceded him in death on August 7, 2024, after 70 years of marriage.

They were blessed with three children, Majel, Cheryl, and Geoff. Tom owned and operated Evergreen Nursery Co, Inc, a four-generation firm that originated in 1864. The first Post Office in Door County was at the nursery location. Tom bought into the family business in 1960 and ran it with his father and Clarence Pinney following his college education. Gene Peotter (Tom's sister, 'Pooky's husband) became a partner with Tom until his death in 1974. At this time, Tom ran the nursery alone and incorporated it. He would then give stock to his brother, George. son, Geoff, and employee, Greg Meissner. Eventually he would buy them out and brought in Ron Amos, who became the owner upon Tom's retirement on August 31, 2001. In 2024 Ron sold Evergreen Nursery Co., Inc. to Kevin Gilbert.

Tom loved getting to know people. Locally, his play for dinner was to have the wait staff bring him whatever they wanted for his dinner. But it had to be healthy, they could not tell him what it was going to be, or they would lose their tip. You must have fun with it, and I will never criticize anything you bring me.

His favorite hobbies included photography, Arboretum, and Nursery work with plants. His commitment to his church and his Masonic Order. Jogging, walking, computers, helping others and always seek knowledge. According to him, these endeavors were only possible through the support of his dear wife, Myra.
Some of the notable landscape endeavors was the original landscaping of Huehns Funeral Home, formerly Davis Mortuary where he would plant and display his white bark birch trees (which were resistant to birch bore, and Evergreen Nursery had 5 Patents and Copyrights for BBB resistant plants), he did the sod at the Ephriam Church where it rained so hard it slid down the hill to the road, and he laid the sod for Al Johnson's grass roof with the goats in Sister Bay. His community service spanned many years including Past President of Door County Chamber of Commerce, Sturgeon Bay Rotary Club, Sturgeon Bay Utility Commission, and a 16-gallon blood bank donor. At his Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, he served and led the Christian Education Commission for the District and Province, the Video Committee there, the Stewardship Committee at church, and Mt. Morris Camps and Conference Center in 2008.
He was a member and past Master of the Henry S. Baird Lodge #174, the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Green Bay, York Rite of NEW, Beja Shrine member, and Nicolet Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine. Tom was a very active member of the Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church, and its Board of Elders, District Executive Board, Delegate to various Moravian Synods, Provincial Budget and Finance Committee, and taught Sunday School for many years.

Surviving family includes his daughter, Cheryl Pinney-Henrickson of Mishicot, Geoff (Sonja) Pinney of Green Bay; granddaughter, Nicole (Kevin) DeGuelle (Stark); two great-grandchildren, Maxwell Thomas DeGuelle and Isabelle Majel DeGuelle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Thomas and Joyce Pinney; wife, Myra Pinney; daughter, Majel L. Pinney-Henrickson; son-in-law, George L. Leu, Philip R. Henrickson; brother, George Pinney; sisters, Joyce "Pooky" Peotter, Pat Remy; and brother-in-law, Gene Remy.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. April 17, 2026, at Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church with Rev. Dr. Matthew R. Knapp, Sr. officiating. Burial will be at Bayside Cemetery.

Friends may call at Huehns Funeral Home Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 9:30 until the time of service at 11:00 a.m. Following the visitation on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 7:00 p.m., there will be services including Order of Eastern Star, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Salt and Rose (33rd Degree), and the Masonic Memorial service. All are welcome to attend.

Memorials in Tom's memory can be directed to Sturgeon Bay Moravian Church Mission Fund, to Honduras Clinic, and or the Scottish Rite Learning Center.

Sign the online guestbook and offer condolences at www.huehnsfuneralhome.com