THOMAS "T.C." PINCKNEY Jr.

1930 - 2021

THOMAS C. PINCKNEY, JR.  General USAF (Ret.)  
General Thomas C. Pinckney, Jr, died in his sleep Monday morning, December 20. He was 91.  Born in Charleston, SC, June 3, 1930, T.C. graduated from The Citadel in 1949 and entered the Air Force a year later. During his thirty year career, he served as a fighter pilot - including in Vietnam - earned a Masters from Syracuse, taught at the Air Force Academy, attended the National War College, and had staff assignments in Air Force Plans, the State Department, the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, the National Security Council staff, the Office of the Air Force Chief of Staff, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The highlight of his Air Force career was serving as Wing Commander of the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing at Bergstrom Air Force Base.  After retiring from the Air Force in 1980, his first objective was to hike the Appalachian Trail, which he accomplished in 1981. He subsequently hiked the Pacific Crest Trail.  T.C. devoted considerable time and energy to the Southern Baptist Convention, playing a strategic role in returning the denomination to its biblical foundations, serving on the SBC Executive Committee, the Baptist Faith and Message Study Committee, and as 2nd Vice President of the Convention. A loving grandfather, T.C. took his 12 grandchildren on over 35 backpack trips, during which he would not only challenge them physically, but also speak of Christ, of life, and of marriage. T.C. married Clarita (Shady) Canaday three weeks after his 20th birthday. By God's grace they had an extraordinary marriage over the next 71 years, with their tenderness toward each other only growing over time.  T.C. is survived by Shady, his children Lindele Elliott, Coty Pinckney, and Laura Kasko, those 12 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.  A memorial service will take place Wednesday, December 29, 11 a.m., at Pillar Church of Woodlawn, 9001 Richmond Highway, Alexandria VA 22309. Donations, in lieu of flowers, can be given to Good News Baptist Church 5940 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria VA 22310.