1
tree
planted in memory of Paul Allan Pingleton
Obituary for Paul Allan Pingleton
Paul Allan Pingleton, 78, was born June 3rd, 1944, in Alton, Oregon County, Missouri, to Alfred and Mittie Nickless Pingleton and departed this world on June 5th, 2022. Paul was afflicted with polio at the age of 2 1/2 years and went through years of physical therapy, leg casts and braces, and much pain. Sadly, after being given the Covid shot, post polio syndrome reactivated and Paul suffered tremendously the past six months.
Paul attended Alton Elementary School until the family moved to De Soto, Kansas in June, of 1953. He attended De Soto schools and graduated from De Soto High School in May, of 1962. After graduation, he attended Kansas City Business College and then joined Local 518 Cement Finishers Union in 1964. He worked side by side with his dad finishing concrete for several years. All through the years, Paul helped his dad with breaking and training horses, and was also a farrier. Paul showed horses for many years and won ribbons and trophies at the American Royal on his horse, Little Bit, for barrel racing and roping.
In 1969, he was hired by then Sheriff Fred Allenbrand and worked as a jailer for Johnson County for seven years. Paul also taught firearms instruction at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia for several years. He was an expert shot and was awarded by the FBI for his perfect marksmanship. Paul was called for duty in the security detail for President Gerald Ford when he visited Kansas City. Paul was always humbled by being personally invited into President Ford’s hotel suite and they visited about horses and dogs and De Soto, Kansas. Paul was a member of the De Soto Masonic Lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason. In his younger days, he enjoyed canoeing on the Kaw and was always promoting Riverfest Park and the boat ramp as one of the best places to put a canoe in the water and enjoy the paddle down to Cedar Creek or on to Bonner Springs.
In 1976, Paul attended Kansas City Auctioneering School and after graduating, he opened Pingleton Auctioneering Service in De Soto. Paul held many auctions in downtown De Soto and around the area. He also auctioned several years for the Ducks Unlimited organization. He worked security for Oak Park Mall, the Great Mall of the Plains, Cedar Creek Development, and Intervet before retiring.
Paul loved taking pictures of Kansas wildlife and shared many of his photos with Kansas Wildlife and Parks. There is a life size metal mural of Paul on his beloved mule, Precious, in the town of Melvern, KS. He enjoyed going camping every year and visiting all his friends along the way. He spent many hours driving around the Flint Hills and knew the best places for fried chicken and homemade pies, as well as antique shops. Paul liked music, especially country and rock and roll. He enjoyed dancing and didn’t care if he had a partner or not. He loved life and making people laugh, especially the little children.
If you knew Paul, you knew he had a loud voice and a big personality. He loved De Soto and was always happy to tell everyone about beautiful downtown De Soto. As a young boy, he delivered the Grit newspaper on his donkey. He surprised school principal Cloa B. Rhodes one summer day by riding his donkey into her office at the grade school to deliver her Grit. She told him the donkey wasn’t allowed to come in the school. Paul enjoyed visiting with people and helping those in need. He always had a smile and a wave when he passed by you in his little Ford truck. Paul spent many hours with his nieces and nephews through the years and was the prime entertainment at family gatherings.
Besides all the stories and memories, Paul leaves behind his brothers Philip (Kathy) Pingleton of Topeka, KS; David (Patricia) Pingleton of Pflugerville, TX; Charles Pingleton of California, MO; and sister Lana (Ian) McPherson of De Soto, KS. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents and sister, Phyllis Pingleton, preceded him in death. We will miss his laughs, stories, songs, his horse nickering and whistle, and most of all, his generous heart.
Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Kaw or Children’s Mercy Hospital. Visitation will be Sunday, June 12th, from 6-8pm, with Masonic Rites at 6:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be June 13th at 11:00 am. Both services will be held in the De Soto Baptist Church, 8655 Copeland Way, De Soto, KS. Friends are invited to wear their cowboy attire and hats to honor Paul.
Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel is in charge of services.
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Paul attended Alton Elementary School until the family moved to De Soto, Kansas in June, of 1953. He attended De Soto schools and graduated from De Soto High School in May, of 1962. After graduation, he attended Kansas City Business College and then joined Local 518 Cement Finishers Union in 1964. He worked side by side with his dad finishing concrete for several years. All through the years, Paul helped his dad with breaking and training horses, and was also a farrier. Paul showed horses for many years and won ribbons and trophies at the American Royal on his horse, Little Bit, for barrel racing and roping.
In 1969, he was hired by then Sheriff Fred Allenbrand and worked as a jailer for Johnson County for seven years. Paul also taught firearms instruction at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia for several years. He was an expert shot and was awarded by the FBI for his perfect marksmanship. Paul was called for duty in the security detail for President Gerald Ford when he visited Kansas City. Paul was always humbled by being personally invited into President Ford’s hotel suite and they visited about horses and dogs and De Soto, Kansas. Paul was a member of the De Soto Masonic Lodge and was a 32nd degree Mason. In his younger days, he enjoyed canoeing on the Kaw and was always promoting Riverfest Park and the boat ramp as one of the best places to put a canoe in the water and enjoy the paddle down to Cedar Creek or on to Bonner Springs.
In 1976, Paul attended Kansas City Auctioneering School and after graduating, he opened Pingleton Auctioneering Service in De Soto. Paul held many auctions in downtown De Soto and around the area. He also auctioned several years for the Ducks Unlimited organization. He worked security for Oak Park Mall, the Great Mall of the Plains, Cedar Creek Development, and Intervet before retiring.
Paul loved taking pictures of Kansas wildlife and shared many of his photos with Kansas Wildlife and Parks. There is a life size metal mural of Paul on his beloved mule, Precious, in the town of Melvern, KS. He enjoyed going camping every year and visiting all his friends along the way. He spent many hours driving around the Flint Hills and knew the best places for fried chicken and homemade pies, as well as antique shops. Paul liked music, especially country and rock and roll. He enjoyed dancing and didn’t care if he had a partner or not. He loved life and making people laugh, especially the little children.
If you knew Paul, you knew he had a loud voice and a big personality. He loved De Soto and was always happy to tell everyone about beautiful downtown De Soto. As a young boy, he delivered the Grit newspaper on his donkey. He surprised school principal Cloa B. Rhodes one summer day by riding his donkey into her office at the grade school to deliver her Grit. She told him the donkey wasn’t allowed to come in the school. Paul enjoyed visiting with people and helping those in need. He always had a smile and a wave when he passed by you in his little Ford truck. Paul spent many hours with his nieces and nephews through the years and was the prime entertainment at family gatherings.
Besides all the stories and memories, Paul leaves behind his brothers Philip (Kathy) Pingleton of Topeka, KS; David (Patricia) Pingleton of Pflugerville, TX; Charles Pingleton of California, MO; and sister Lana (Ian) McPherson of De Soto, KS. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins. His parents and sister, Phyllis Pingleton, preceded him in death. We will miss his laughs, stories, songs, his horse nickering and whistle, and most of all, his generous heart.
Memorial donations may be made to the Friends of the Kaw or Children’s Mercy Hospital. Visitation will be Sunday, June 12th, from 6-8pm, with Masonic Rites at 6:00 p.m. A celebration of life will be June 13th at 11:00 am. Both services will be held in the De Soto Baptist Church, 8655 Copeland Way, De Soto, KS. Friends are invited to wear their cowboy attire and hats to honor Paul.
Cedar Crest Memorial Chapel is in charge of services.
To plant a tree in memory of Paul Allan Pingleton, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Sunday
12
Jun
6:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
P.O. Box E
De Soto, KS 66018
Celebration of Life
Monday
13
Jun
11:00 AM
De Soto Baptist Church
8655 Copeland Way
P.O. Box E
De Soto, KS 66018
Cemetery Details
Location
De Soto Cemetery
34500 W 87th Street
De Soto, KS 66018
Memorial Contribution
Childrens Mercy Hospital
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