David DeNiff HINTON

1957 - 2014

HINTON, David DeNiff

David DeNiff Hinton, 57, of Georgetown, Texas, died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on April 5, 2014 in Austin, Texas after a year and a half battle with liver and kidney failure caused by pythiosis insidiosum which also took both of his legs. David was born in Lockhart, Texas on March 3, 1957 to Charles Anderson (Andy) Hinton and Margaret Ross Hinton. He was delivered by his maternal grandfather, Dr. Abner A. Ross, and welcomed into the world by his big brothers, Chuck and Ross. Ten years later, the three boys would all become big brothers when their sister, Margaret Ann, was born.



David spent his youth (he would call it his 'wonder bread years') in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1975 where he played football and lettered in golf. Following a long family tradition, he attended Texas A&M University and was a proud member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of 1979. While at A&M, David was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Parsons Mounted Cavalry.



After graduation, he went to work as a petroleum landman. While living in Houston, he was introduced to Susan Hollaway Avirett. David and Susan were married at Memorial Drive Lutheran Church in Houston on June 1, 1985. They were twice blessed by the births of their daughters, Elizabeth Ann on May 18, 1988 and Sarah Catherine on December 19, 1991. David and Susan made their home in Mt. Pleasant for 9 years while David worked for his grandfather's company, W. B. Hinton Drilling Company.



The family moved to Georgetown on Y-2K day, January 1, 2000 when David accepted a job with a homebuilder in Georgetown. After several years, David rediscovered his passion for the oil and gas industry and once again, turned to landman work. He was a diligent and compassionate landman and worked hard to obtain the best leases for his landowners.



David was a loving father to Liz and Sarah. He loved being at the family ranch in New Mexico with them, and taught them to ride horses and drive ranch trucks while spending weeks at the NAN Ranch. He taught the girls how to shoot a gun, play poker (and win!), play 42, and to dance. He was the best dancer, and we all fought to get out on the floor with him.



He was a loving husband to Susan for 28 years. They were best friends and soul mates and could keep each other in stitches with silly jokes and nicknames. David always said Susan was the smartest woman he knew. That must have been true because she married him.



David loved to fly and held a private pilot's license since 1984. He was a former member of the Civil Air Patrol in Georgetown and flew numerous missions for them, including the air search for Rachel Cooke. He was a former member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Speakers Committee and a member of the 100X Club of Rodeo Austin. David was a scuba diver in his 20's. He loved to hunt and fish, drive machinery both large and small, play Texas Hold 'Em, cook (gumbo and steaks were his specialty), dance, and watch a good (or bad!) Western or WWII movie.



David is preceded in death by his parents, Andy and Margaret Hinton, his uncle, Abner Alverly (Bubba) Ross III, and special friends, Ray (Fuzzy) and Mary V. Boyles.



He is survived by his wife, Susan, and their daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Sarah Catherine; brother, Charles A. (Chuck) Hinton, Jr. and his wife, Linda; brother Ross William Hinton; sister, Margaret Ann Hinton Hampton and husband, David; mother-in-law, Frances Hollaway; sister-in-law, Janice Hollaway; brother-in-law, John Hollaway and wife, Laura; nieces, Caitlin, Andrea, Amanda, and Madison; nephews, Weston and Travis; and many cousins and precious friends.



Visitation will be held at Weed-Corley-Fish at 3125 N. Lamar in Austin on Thursday, April 10 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. David's funeral will be at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Lockhart, TX on Friday, April 11 at 11:00 a.m. with burial at the Lockhart City Cemetery.



Serving as pallbearers will be George Hisler, Robert Klepac, Jim Hime, Corbin Blackwell, Ryan Hale, and Rob Hardy. Honorary pallbearers are Harlie Cox, Art Scharlach, Jack Ross, Clark Ross, and Bill Burford.



If you feel so inclined, you may make a donation to the Western New Mexico University Foundation, P. O. Box 1158, Silver City, New Mexico 88061 with a note in the check's memo line or letter stating that the donation is to the Margaret R. Hinton NAN Ranch Collection Research Fund in memory of David Hinton. The WNMU Foundation's phone number is 575 538-6310.



Obituary and memorial guestbook available online at www.wcfish.com