Jim Hinson, a Pensacola native, died on Wednesday, February 3, 2016. Born on January 19, 1951, the oldest of four sons of Robert D. and Lois H. Hinson, Jim graduated from Woodham High School, Class of 1969; and the University of Florida, Class of 1974, School of Business. While at Florida, he was a member of the Gator basketball team.
Pre-deceased by his parents, Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 43 years, Linda Carr Hinson; two sons, Mark H.(Carol) Hinson of Birmingham, Alabama, and J. David (Katie) Hinson of Jacksonville, Florida; and grandchildren, Luke, Abigail, Samuel, Shelby, and Callie. He is also survived by his brothers, Dr. William A. (Nancy, deceased) Hinson of Pensacola; Richard G. (Barbara) Hinson of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and John R. (Elizabeth) Hinson of Birmingham; brother-in-law, John B. Carr of Pensacola; sister-in-law, Cathy (E. L.) Roche of Pensacola; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Jim left a remarkable professional footprint in the Pensacola area as a premier homebuilder and developer, having built over 200 custom homes during his 40+-year career. He founded and owned Hinson Builders, Inc.
As a devoted citizen of Pensacola, Jim served on the Charter Government Committee, which recommended the Mayor-City Council government, under which the city of Pensacola currently operates. He also donated his time and skills to the construction of the Baptist Student Union Building at U.W.F. and the Samaritan Hands Building at First Baptist Church. For many years Jim was a volunteer mentor with the Escambia Schools’ Foundation for Excellence Program.
Jim used his knowledge of homebuilding to lead disaster relief projects after Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Sandy; and after the Tuscaloosa area tornadoes. Inspired by the words of Jesus in the Great Commission, Jim “persuaded” many fellow Christ-followers to participate in missions building projects in Latvia, Macedonia, Ecuador, and , most recently, in Haiti. In fact, his passion for Haiti orphans was a catalyst in the establishment of the Children of Christ Home there.
As intense about his faith as he was about his family, friends, missions, and pursuit of excellence, Jim served in various ways at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, where he was a lifelong member. He was, through the years, a Sunday School teacher of teens and adults, a basketball coach with the church league, a deacon, and a missions team leader.
Always competitive, Jim at various times avidly pursued hunting, fishing, basketball, swimming, tennis, and—most recently—golf. Even as cancer progressed, Jim remained eager to join his buddies in a round or two of golf.
Jim’s sons and their peers enjoy fond memories of good times at the Pensacola Beach House, where many of them learned to water-ski and compete in other sports. They were coached and cheered on by Jim and Linda and other parents. Great memories also were made at Fidelis Farm, where Jim taught his sons and their friends hunting, fishing, camping, farming and other lifelong lessons. Jim knew that resourceful skills are often best acquired in wide-open spaces under glorious skies—sometimes even on 4-wheelers.
All in all, Jim Hinson led a joyous life—one in which he both treasured and taught by example the principles of truthfulness, selflessness, optimism, humor, endurance, and faith in God. Jim occupied a platform made uniquely for him. He was a man comfortable in his own skin, a man who was also even-handed and honest in his dealings with people from all walks of life. A traveler of both the U.S. and the world, he proudly called Pensacola his earthly home.
The Hinson family would like to thank Dr. Herb Gannon and the Covenant Hospice team for the amazing, loving care given to Jim.
Visitation will be held Saturday, February 6, from 10:00-11:00 AM at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM in the church’s Chipley Hall.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s memory to the Hinson Memorial Fund at First Baptist Church, 500 North Palafox St., Pensacola, FL 32501. This fund was established to carry on the visionary projects of James Huntington Hinson—beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
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