The Pinkertons Retire
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by Renee Fite
City of Stilwell Director of Public Relations and Media
A milestone has passed and Stilwell Pharmacy is no longer where Mike and Sandra Pinkerton will be found greeting customers and filling prescriptions. The couple retired last week.
The Pinkerton’s started working at the pharmacy in August 1984, after purchasing it from Keith and Darlene Bertelsen.
Being from Tahlequah, the pharmacist wanted to get closer to home after graduating from Pharmacy School in Weatherford, Oklahoma at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
The couple found Stilwell to be a wonderful place to call home, raise a family and grow a business.
“We like the small town feel, and know most all our customers,” he said. “We had steady growth. Customer confidence grows as business grows. Treat patients right with respect and they reward you with customer loyalty.”
The couple have many fond memories of Stilwell.
Mike and Sandra Pinkerton at Stilwell Pharmacy on Monday, March 31, their last day at work before retirement.
photo by Renee Fite
“The marque we used to have was manual letter placement. No one liked taking down and replacing the letters 12 feet in the air. Then we upgraded to an electronic sign with a remote computer to easily change the message. Only thing was some times the proof read would not be done until it was already broadcasting, oops,” said Pinkerton.
The down town area where the pharmacy was located was filled with many iconic characters, Pinkerton said, “Burnell Isaacs of the Mercantile, Jack and Joy Smay of ACE Hardware, Bill and Linda Roedenbeck of Fletchers hardware, Dollie Kester of Stilwell Cafe, Tom Carson of Carson Loan, and Dr. Jimmy Taylor M.D.”
When the couple purchased the pharmacy it was on Division Street.
“It was a great location but parking was not always available, so in 1991 we built and opened a new facility with a drive thru window. That was especially helpful when the COVID outbreak occurred,” he said.
The Pinkerton’s appreciate being in Stilwell, and will miss seeing customers and friends.
“We’ll miss our patients and the many interesting stories and family updates are what we will miss most,” he said.
Supporting the Chamber of Commerce is one way the Pinkerton’s have given back, and they’ve always been supportive of the community.
“Sandra and I have always been members of Chamber of Commerce, but until recently, not able to participate in lunches and activities. Once my son became a pharmacist he came back to work part time for me which gave me free lunch time, so able to go to Chamber lunches,” he said.
Times change, and a new face will be behind the pharmacy counter.
“The Pharmacy was purchased by Jayson Carter, who lives in Vian area and his full time pharmacist David Wilkerson will be the Pharmacist in Charge. We have maintained most of our work force and will be able to answer questions and assist patients just like I did for years,” he said.
What will retirement look like for the Pinkerton’s?
“Grand kids are in the mix of things I want to spend time with. We plan trips in advance for overseas and less planning for interstate trips. Lots to see in the USA,” he said. “I would like to get better at Spanish.”
They have no plans to relocate.
“We like it here,” Pinkerton said.
