James F. Hinckley

1922 - 2017

December 12, 1922 - May 2, 2017 Colonel James F. Hinckley, US Army (Ret.) James (Jim) Francis Hinckley, 94, passed away May 2, 2017 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on December 12, 1922 in Johnson City, New York. Jim was a World War II veteran and proudly served in the US Army from 1942 to 1965, serving in the Pacific with campaigns in Saipan, Okinawa and Tokyo. After the War, he served in Berlin, was later stationed in New York, and finished his Army career as a Colonel in California. He graduated from New York University in 1954. While in New York he met the love of his life, Catherine (Cay) Anne Murray, and they were married in 1953. Jim began working for International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) in 1954. He specialized in the sale of satellite navigation systems to foreign governments for commercial and military use, and he retired in 1986. His travels took him all over the world, and he had many interesting adventures, especially in the Middle East. Upon his retirement, he began his final career as a volunteer. He worked at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Ventura County Maritime Museum and the Commemorative Air Force Museum. The United States Navy made him an Honorary Seabee in 2013, and Jim was very proud that he was the only Army officer to receive this honor. He especially enjoyed showing children the museums and teaching them a proper military salute. Jim was devoted to his wife, Cay, for 63 years, as well as his four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He made sure that he or Cay always attended the family's athletic and social events, and he even ran the Little League Baseball Association in Northridge, California, for many years. Jim took great pride in his grandchildren and was always a great story teller. His family knew he was very proud and loved them dearly. He is survived by his wife, Cay, and his children: Sharyn Compton of Palm Springs, CA, Jim Hinckley and wife, Jan, of Dallas, TX, John Hinckley and wife, Joanne, of Chino Hills, CA, and William Hinckley and wife, Katie, of East Texas. He was the proud grandfather ("Ba-Ba") to Josh Compton, Rachel Hardwick and husband David, James Hinckley, Alexander Hinckley, Drew Hinckley, and Will Hinckley, and the proud great-grandfather to Ethan Hardwick, Keaton Hardwick, Hayden Hardwick, Griffin Hardwick, Haley Compton and Madison Compton. A full military memorial service will be held May 24, 2017 at 11:15am at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 95218. A reception will follow to greet family.