Obituary

Dr. Jay Baker Hinton

Dr. Jay Baker Hinton entered eternal life on Jan. 2, 2004 at age 91. He was born in Fort Thomas, Arizona to Arizona pioneer parents, Sam Houston Hinton and Viola Priscilla York Hinton on May 12, 1912, the same year Arizona became a state. It might be said that he and Arizona grew up together. His early life was spent on his father's cattle ranch where he received his first horse and learned to ride and rope from age 4. He was called "J.B. Rope-A-Cow" because he could rope anything in sight, even his mother's chickens. His love of the cowboy life never left him.

After graduating from Florence High School he went on to Arizona State Teachers' College (now ASU), graduating in 1935 and obtaining his Master's Degree in Education in 1942. During this time he met his beloved wife of 65 years, Virginia Lee Austin of Tempe, Arizona. They were married at Tempe Christian Church on June 3, 1938. His teaching career followed. He especially enjoyed working with young people, sharing his knowledge and love of learning with elementary and high school students in Aravaipa, Coolidge, Casa Grande, and lastly Tolleson where he served not only as teacher and bus driver, but as principal of Pendergast School. Teaching was an inborn talent. Former students recall how they "just couldn't understand until Mr. Hinton explained it."

In 1946 his life took a new direction as he moved his family to the San Francisco Bay Area where he studied four years, receiving in 1950 his Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from the Stanford College of Physicians and Surgeons. Thus a new nickname,"Doc." His private practice was in Casa Grande and Yuma. During these years he introduced into Arizona dentistry the Microdenture Technique, the use of magnets in A-Polardentures, and also developed Ion-Crown Forms.

Doc was active in his community. His affiliations and service include the Arizona State Dental Association (Yuma Chapter President), Xi Psi Phi Dental Fraternity, F&AM (Masons), DeMolay Counselor, Lions International Charter Member, Coolidge(1936), Kiwanis International, BPOE, Yuma Board of Adjustment, Chamber of Commerce, Casa Grande Rodeo Association, Casa Grande Riders (youth) organizer, and the Republican party. He was a member of First Christian Church. He enjoyed meeting with his coffee buddies at the Stardust and Bobby's Restaurant.

Since 1959 he and Ginger enjoyed spending the summers in their second home in Rico, Colorado.

After his retirement in 1981 he was an enchanting oral historian, Arizona and Colorado tour guide, fly-fishing teacher to young and old, master stained leaded glass and woodworker, and was a living U.S. atlas and history book. His greatest enjoyment at the end of his life was to tell about his beloved state of Arizona, much the same as his contemporary and admired acquaintance, Sen. Barry Goldwater. Captivating adults and children alike, they told the story of Arizona from almost a century ago to present times. That story was Doc's story: the Settling of the Old West.

Doc's third grade teacher once told his class that none of them would live to see the new century. He proved her wrong, and then some. His body will now be returned to the ground he loved. It is hallowed ground for our family, for truly his ancestors are Arizona's soil as well as its history. It was a most honorable life we remember and an inspiring memory to sustain us.

Survivors are wife, Virginia Lee 'Ginger' Hinton, and daughter, Jean Ann Morris (Bob) of Yuma; sons, Dr. Jay Philip Austin Hinton (Kathleen) of Fresno, CA.; Patrick Lee Hinton (Bobbie) of Coarsegold, CA; daughter-in-law, Pam Hinton of Madera, CA (wife of his son Jonathan Michael Hinton who passed away in July, 1998.) Grandchildren are Robert James Hinton Morris and LynAnne Lee German (Rick), Yuma; Susanna K. Hinton, Dallas, TX; Dr. Samuel P. Hinton (Dawn), Louisville, KY; Stephen Philip Austin Hinton, Fresno; Jay Michael Hinton (Jennifer), Pasadena, CA; Aviation Technician Jonathan Lawrence Hinton (Leann), U.S. Navy, stationed in the Persian Gulf; RaeLynn Prandini (Chris), Clovis, CA; Kevin Hinton (Stephanie), U.S. Army attached to the Pentagon; Jack Hinton (Colleen), Phoenix, AZ; Jared Summers, Thousand Oaks, CA. Great-grandchildren are Robert Joseph Hinton Morris, WI; Austin Richard German and Alyssa Jean German, Yuma; Richelle German Holliday, CA; Wesley David Hinton, KY; Samantha Hinton, CA; Aria Torabi, Tyler Hinton and Benjamin Hinton, CA; Calvin Hinton and Garrett Hinton, VA. Nieces and nephews are Kay Miller (Jim), Stanley Ellis (Pat), Hinton Ellis (Opal), JoAnn Minner, Mary Lust (Vern), Patty O'Keefe (John), Bill Jakle (Sammi), Mary Kowalski, Adrienne Coit (Don), numerous grand-nieces and nephews and extended family. Sister, Gladys Hinton Ellis Wilson passed away in 1997. Family was of utmost importance to our Dad, and we look forward to the time when our circle will be unbroken through the grace of our LORD Jesus Christ.

Officiating at the Memorial Service to be held Jan. 9 at Johnson Chapel will be Richard Osness. Honorary pallbearers are Ken Hazen, Elmer Carlson, Wally Foster, Ken Harrison, George Lederer, Bud Lemke, and Mike Watson. Burial Services will be held Jan. l 0 in Tempe Double Butte Cemetery in the Austin family lot, purchased in l 893.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Jonathan Michael Hinton Memorial Scholarship Fund, 415 Fairview, Madera, CA 93637.