V. C. “Pinkey” Ahlrich died Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland. He was 81.

Pinkey has been reunited with his loving wife and son and is now praising his Lord in Heaven.  He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, son and friend.  He was married to his beloved “Janie” for 55 years until her death in September 2014.

He was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1934.  His family later moved to Mississippi, where they lived in Canton and later Winona. Pinkey graduated from Winona High School in 1952.  After graduating, he attended MSU where he earned a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.  He would later complete graduate work at the University of Illinois.

His entire professional career from 1956 until his retirement in 1993 was spent with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers in Vicksburg. His distinguished civil service career concentrated on the planning and development of civil projects of the Lower Mississippi Valley Division.

He served as assistant chief and later chief of the Vicksburg District Planning Division between 1976 and 1993.

Pinkey was a long-time and active member of First Baptist Church of Vicksburg. During his many years there, he held multiple leadership roles such as Sunday school teacher, deacon and executive committee member. He was a long-time member of the Cecil Knox Sunday school class.  In more recent years, he worked and served as a volunteer for Operation Christmas Child and the First Baptist Church Medical/Dental Clinic.

He was an active supporter and fan of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. In his retirement years, Pinkey and his wife “Janie” enjoyed attending MSU sporting events.  They also traveled the country in their motor home.

Pinkey was preceded in death by his wife Lois Jane “Janie” Ahlrich; his son, Michael Edward Ahlrich; his parents, Vastine Edward Ahlrich and Helen Lenora Ahlrich; and his sister, Martha Metts.

His survivors include his two sons, Randy Ahlrich (Susan) and Paul Ahlrich (Donna) of Madison; and his six grandchildren, Abbey Ahlrich, Drew Ahlrich, Graham Ahlrich, Nolan Ahlrich, Carley Ahlrich and Jami Ahlrich.

Funeral services will be noon Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2015, at First Baptist Church of Vicksburg with Dr. Matt Buckles, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the hour of the service at the church. Glenwood Funeral Homes has charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to First Baptist Church of Vicksburg, Operation Christmas Child or Medical or Dental Clinic.