Allen Ray Brinson, Sr., 79, of Columbia, died Thursday, October 20, 2022. Born September 18, 1943, in Augusta, GA, he was a son of the late Simeon and Ernestine Barnes Brinson.

Ray grew up in Hampton, SC and joined the Air Force at 17 years old. He was sent to Vietnam and Korea and became the personal chauffeur for the Air Force Joint Chief of Staff, General Curtis Lemay. After his military service he settled in Columbia, SC where he served in the Air Force Reserve and the Army National Guard. Ray was a member of Dentsville OES and a 50 year member of Pontiac Masonic Lodge No. 429. Throughout his life Ray was an entrepreneur with several businesses. He was a long haul truck driver, Feed and Seed Store Owner and eventually owned and operated Brinson's Auto and Towing Service with his son until he retired.

Ray was a great storyteller and enjoyed talking with just about anyone. He enjoyed the art of BBQ and cooked hundreds of Boston Butts with his family and friends for charity. He was also a motorcycle enthusiast and rode his Harley with his wife and kids. Above all else Ray loved his family and sought to give them all a better life than he had. His many stories and famous one liners will be remembered and cherished by his family.

Ray is survived by his wife, Martha J. Brinson; son, Tim (Holly) Brinson; son, Allen (Winnie)Brinson, Jr. ; daughter, Daphne (David) Shook grandchildren, Amanda, Emily, Will, and Colin Brinson all of Columbia, Ellie and Cooper Shook of Columbia, Chance Brinson and Casey Wright of Cordova, SC and Chandler Gerstenberg of Columbia; siblings, Mary (Jim) Drawdy of Memphis, TN, Lois Crosby of Williamston, SC, Shirley (Harold) Jenerette and Ronnie Brinson both of Columbia, SC; sister- in- laws: Linda Johnson of Galivants Ferry, SC, Miriam Jenerette of Winston-Salem, NC and Debbie Jenerette of Galivants Ferry, SC; as well as a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by a sister Margie Dority and two brothers, Melvin Brinson and Charles Brinson.

The funeral service for Mr. Brinson will be held 1 o'clock, Tuesday, October 25th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC. Burial with follow at 2 o'clock at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service beginning at 12 o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the charity of ones' choice or the Shriners Hospital for Children and the USMC Toys for Tots.