RADIUM — Milton ‘Bud’ Dee Pinkston, 95, passed away Aug. 18, 2026 at his home in rural Radium.

He was born Dec. 18, 1930 in Larned, the son of Virgil O. and Patsy M. Gipson Pinkston.

A lifetime area resident he was a farmer and flight instructor for most of his life, and flew corporate jets for 15 years, traveling North America. He served in the United States Army and was a member of and flight advisor for EAA (Experimental Aircraft Association) chapter 1134 of Great Bend. Besides farming, flying was his greatest enjoyment and he flew until he was 92 years old.

On Dec. 20, 1952 he married Ruby Dell May at Pensacola, Fla. She preceded him in death on Feb. 18, 2012.

Survivors include son, Chris (Pennie) Pinkston, St. John; three daughters, Robyn (Matt) Hall, Garfield, Julie (Tim) Wilson, Prineville, Ore., Kellie (Robert) Begler, Ellis; twin sister, Cis Koehn, Lawrence; sister, Louree Eason, Louisville, Kent.; three grandchildren, Randi (Cory) Turner, Kiley (Andrew) Hamor, Jason Pinkston; grandson-in-law Bob Dick; and 15 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two brothers-in-law, Harold Koehn and Dale Eason; granddaughter, Tiffany Dick.

Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned with Pastor Angela DeFisher presiding. Visitation will be 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 at Beckwith Mortuary with family present from 6-8 p.m. Burial will be in Point View Cemetery, Radium with military graveside rites. Memorials may be given to Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Beckwith Mortuary

P.O. Box 477

Larned, Kansas 67550

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 20, 2026