George Hinds Jr.

1947 - 2025

With his family by his side and while the sun was setting in Hawaii, George Edwards Hinds, Jr., peacefully passed from this life on November 16, 2025, after battling cancer. He was born in Quantico, Virginia, to the late Mary Lois (Newman) and George Hinds on September 22, 1947. Due to his father's military career, the family lived in several places, including Oahu, Hawaii, and Oceanside, California, where George graduated from Oceanside High School. A natural athlete, he played baseball and basketball and discovered a love of surfing-his first car was a hearse, chosen because it could fit his surfboard.

In his younger years, George held many jobs, working as a line cook, camp counselor, and serving in the Army National Guard. After high school, he attended California State University, Chico, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education and met the love of his life, Nora Jane Sauter. The two married in June of 1972 and soon moved to Merced, where George began his career in education as a teacher and coach at Le Grand High School. Their daughter, Cristi, was born shortly after. A few years later, the family relocated to Carlsbad, where George taught and coached for the Carlsbad Unified School District, and their son, David, was born.

George later earned a Master's degree in Educational Leadership. He and the family moved back to Merced when he got a job as an administrator for the Le Grand Union High School District. He worked as a Vice Principal, Principal, and ultimately as Superintendent. His dedication to education spanned 38 years before his retirement in 2008.

Throughout his life, George's passion for sports never waned. He served on the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Board of Managers, as President of the Sac-Joaquin Section, and later as a state Athletic Eligibility Hearing Officer and member of the CIF State Executive Committee. In 2023, his lifelong commitment to athletics was honored with induction into the CIF Hall of Fame.

One of George's favorite activities was officiating basketball, a role he began in 1979. Among his proudest moments was refereeing the Girls Division I State Championship at the Oakland Coliseum Arena.

Outside of work and sports, George enjoyed fishing, golfing, camping, skiing, reading, barbecuing, and traveling-attending four Olympic Games along the way. His greatest joy, however, came from spending time with his four beloved granddaughters. Whether cheering them on at dance recitals, cheer events, softball games, or swim meets, "Papa" never missed a chance to show his support.

George was known for his generosity, humor, and willingness to lend a hand, often moving furniture, painting, installing sprinklers, or fixing appliances. He would do anything to help his friends and family. Even after his illness, George faced each day with quiet strength, determined to spend time with those he loved and to keep helping wherever he could.

An active member of the Merced community, George served on the Parks and Recreation Committee, Planning Commission, Grand Jury, and City Council. He was also a longtime member of the Merced Golf and Country Club, where he participated in numerous tournaments, served on various committees, and formed many treasured friendships.

In 2017, George and Nora fulfilled their dream of moving to Koloa, Hawaii-a place they fell in love with on a vacation with their best friends years earlier. George continued to give back, serving on his condominium's HOA and officiating local high school basketball games, often donating his earnings to support local youth sports. He loved welcoming family and friends to visit and share in the island life he cherished so much.

George will be deeply missed by all who knew him, but especially by his devoted wife, Nora Hinds; daughter and son-in-law, Cristi and Torrin Johnson; son and daughter-in-law, David and Jeanie Hinds; four granddaughters, McKenzie and Grace Schumacher, and Claire and Leah Hinds; and his brother, Sam (Carol) Hinds. At a celebration held days before he passed, his family honored him.

George's life was defined by service-to his family, his community, and the colleagues and friends who were fortunate to know him. The service will be private, but George's legacy of kindness, leadership, and love will live on in all those whose lives he touched.