Jim Pinks was born and raised in California. After leaving high school, Jim joined the Army. Afterwards he worked for a sugar corporation and joined the local volunteer fire department. When the sugar factory closed, Jim moved to Moses Lake, WA, and continued work in another sugar factory for three years. Jim then went into truck driving and agricultural farm repair. Jim then moved to Poulsbo, WA, to work for Washington Tractor (a John Deere dealership) and worked on small engines. After retiring from Washington Tractor, Jim started volunteering with Station 22 in 2020.