Robert “Bob” Jinnette

Robert “Bob” Jinnette, entered eternal rest, Thursday, November 15, 2012, at 8:18 A.M., in the Ganado Nursing and Rehab Center in Ganado, Texas,  at the age of 88 years and 5 months.

Bob was born June 15, 1924 in Nashville, Tennessee, the son of Herman Jinnette and Carleen Scott Jinnette. Bob began his career in the United States Navy and prior to his departure to serve in the Pacific Theater during WWII as a signalman aboard aviation fuel tankers; he met and married Charlotte L. Smith Jinnette on August 21, 1943 in Kenedy, Texas. After a two-year deployment he was honorably discharged and returned to Kenedy to enter the private workforce with Central Power and Light Company beginning as a storeroom helper and working his way up through the company to Vice-President of Governmental Affairs. He retired from CPL in 1979 and upon his retirement began working for Gulf States Utilities. This allowed him to continue his lobbying efforts for the utility industry, which he had started in 1971 for CPL and carried over to his employment with Gulf States until his retirement in 1995. After retirement he and his wife, Charlotte, returned to Kenedy where they re-established and renewed old friendship and acquaintances in Bob’s “adopted” hometown. Charlotte preceded Bob in death on October 15, 2006. He was active in many civic organizations and was the past president of the Lions Club in Pleasanton, Texas, member of the Rotary Club of El Campo, Texas and past president of the Chamber of Commerce of El Campo, Texas.

Bob is survived by his son, Scott Jinnette and wife Jan of Adkins, Texas; his daughters, Carleen Olson and husband Gary of Ganado, Texas and Marsha Frels and husband Kenny of El Campo, Texas; his seven grandchildren, Duane, Daryl and Doug Olson, Stacey Pennell, Heather Reynolds, Erin Stavinoha and Amanda Brown; and his 6 great-grandchildren. Mr. Jinnette is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Carleen Jinnette and his brother, Richard Jinnette.

Visitation was held, Friday, November 16, 2012, from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel, Kenedy, Texas. Funeral services were held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, November 17, 2012, in the Eckols Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Erin Weaver officiating. Interment followed in the Kenedy Cemetery with Duane Olson, Daryl Olson, Doug Olson, Jon Reynolds, Bill Pennell and Scott Stavinoha; all serving as pallbearers. Serving as an honorary pallbearer was Juan Brown.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the charity of choice.