With broken hearts, we announce that on July 26, 2022, Donald Wayne Hinson’s journey with us here on Earth has come to an end.

Don was born March 10, 1940, on a farm outside Mart, Texas, to Esther Ruth (Sydow) Hinson and Calvin Asbury Hinson. He was the youngest of four sons. After graduating from Mart High School in 1958, Don enlisted in the U.S. Navy. When he requested brother duty so he could serve near his oldest brother, Jack, at Mid South Naval Base in Millington, Tennessee, he met the love of his life, Anita Armstrong, on a blind date. They were married 6 months later, on November 22, 1963, the same day President Kennedy was assassinated. Don had leave that day, so they went ahead with the wedding. In 1965 Don and Anita moved to San Diego, California, where Don was stationed next, driving their Chevy 2 Super Sport. There he programmed helicopter flight simulators for Marine pilots during the Viet Nam War. Working with computers became his life’s work. San Diego was also where he learned to water ski, something he was passionate about for many years. He could teach anyone to ski, and his family and friends have many wonderful memories of skiing on Lake Marble Falls and camping and skiing at Inks Lake State Park. He was also an avid runner and he always liked to challenge himself physically. He ran 10K races until he was in his 70’s.

Don met life with a wonderful sense of humor, an intense curiosity, and a strong sense of justice. He volunteered in the election system and for various charitable organizations to effect positive change in the world.

Don is survived by Anita, his beloved wife of 58 years; his daughter, Susanne Hinson-Rieger, and husband, Jamie; his daughter, Amy Hinson, and partner, Marinda Scott; three grandchildren: Claudia Brooks, Jordan Brooks, and Sam Myers; his brother James and wife, Therese; sister-in-law, Sandy Meador; and brother-in-law, Charles Armstrong. He is further survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins, and many loved friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Esther Hinson, his brothers Milton (Jack) Hinson, Jerome (Jake) Hinson; sisters-in-law Ann Elkins Hinson, and Carol Armstrong; brothers-in-law, Carl Armstrong and Don Armstrong.

We are deeply grateful for our time with Don, even though it could never be enough, and we are grateful too for all the ways his spirit lives on in our lives and memories and will continue to live on, generation upon generation.