David Owen Hinton

David "Dave" Owen Hinton, 80, of Fuquay-Varina, NC, passed away on Tuesday, February 26, 2019 after an almost 19 year battle with prostrate and bladder cancer. Dave was born on May 12, 1938 in Gibsonville, NC to the late George Owen Hinton and Barbara Greeson Hinton. When he was 5 or 6 years old and World War II was still going on, Dave would watch the bombers towing gliders from Fort Bragg or Seymour Johnson, fly their training missions over his house. He was fascinated by flight. He began building model airplanes. Once when his Mom sent him to the store to buy groceries, he spent the money buying a model airplane.

Rather than be drafted, Dave chose to join the Navy, hoping to volunteer for the Navy Enlisted Pilots Program. During boot camp, Dave's hopes were shattered when the Navy discontinued the program. Now he was stuck in the Navy, with no chance to fly. While in Aviation Electronics School, Dave received a scholarship through the Navy Enlisted Scholarship Program (NESEP) to attend NC State University. After earning a degree in Electrical Engineering, Dave completed Officer Candidate School and was told (erroneously) that he was not eligible to apply for pilot training. So, he served a tour on Guided Missile Destroyer USS Sampson (DDG10) as an Electronics Division Officer.

Dave finally attended Pensacola, FL Navy Flight School in 1968, earning his Naval Flight Officers Wings as the 6,000th Navy Flight Officer. After a tour with Antisubmarine Warfare Squadron VP-23 flying P2v7s, Dave became a Maintenance Officer for the Navel Research Laboratory's Flight Support detachment (currently, the position is Executive Officer, VXS-1) conducting flights and experiments around the world. Dave loved the Navy. Not only did it allow him to fly, but gave his an education, a career, and a retirement.

With many fond memories, Dave left the active Navy and spent 5 years in the reserves followed by a 23-year career with the US Environmental Protection Agency, at RTP, NC. Dave retired as Captain, US Public Health Service, in 1995. His USPHS career included Project Officer for EPA's national Community Health Air Monitoring Program (instrumental in setting the Air Quality PM5 and PM2.5 National Air Quality Standard); Laboratory Quality Assurance Officer; and, Acting Division Director Air Monitoring Division.

Dave authored several technical papers, received several Navy, EPA, and Public Health Service awards, and hold two patents. He became a consultant to Southern Research Institute of Birmingham, Alabama for one year. Dave also retired from a 7-year stent with the NC Employment Security Commission where he managed the Fuquay-Varina Office.

In 2012, Dave and Jim Berry co-founded JD Energy Consultants, LLC, an environmental/energy consulting firm. They wrote and presented paper #1131, Air and Waste Management Association, 109th Conference in New Orleans entitled "Plastic, the Abundant, Sinister, Silent Threat to Humanity - The Pollutant to One Talks About!" Dave was active in Ocean Cleanup for many years. Co-founding "Save Our Oceans Foundation" with Jim Berry in 2018.

After his wife's death in 2004, Dave established the Marie Arrington Hinton Foundation and operated it as "Purple Elephant Computer Factory for Kids" for 7 years. The foundation refurbished over 5,000 usable computers and recycled over 50,000 unusable ones. Computers were provided free or at very low cost to at-risk kids, children of military families, ex-offenders, and people who were without jobs. For his efforts, Dave was recognized as "Tar Heel of the Week" by the News & Observer. In 2018, he established the non-profit "Save Our Oceans Foundation" to promote removing toxic plastic from the world's oceans and converting the plastic into fuel onboard ships.

In addition to his parents, Dave was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Marie Arrington Hinton. Next to God, Dave loved his family. His favorite song was, "Watching Scotty Grow" sung by Bobby Goldsboro.

Dave is survived by his favorite son, Lieutenant David Scott "Scottie" Hinton, Fuquay-Varina Police Department, favorite daughter-in-law, Tonya Caudill Hinton, Magnet Coordinator at Athens Drive High School, best buddy, grandson David Samuel "Sam" Hinton, a freshman at Athens Drive High School, sister, Ann Ray (husband Bob), of Rock Hill, SC, brother, Doug Hinton (wife Diana), of Greensboro, NC, and cousin, Bing Greeson, of Henderson, NV.

Dave enjoyed attending Trinity Baptist Church and Danny Lotz's Band of Brothers Bible Study. To quote Dave, "I have out lived my bucket list. I have received so many blessings that, if I told you, you would think I'm bragging! I am so thankful for my God, my family, and especially the many Navy opportunities that came my way. Cancer may have caught me, but it had to run fast because I was having way too much fun. God Bless each of you."

For Sam, "I love you the most!"

Family will receive friends on Friday afternoon, March 1st from 12:30 - 2:00 pm at Mitchell Funeral Home in Raleigh, with Funeral Services to be held at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel. Interment, with Military Honors will follow at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Transitions Lifecare - 250 Hospice Circle - Raleigh, NC 27607.