James Harold Hingst

James Harold Hingst, 94, died March 6, 2026 in Pipe Creek, TX. He was born in New Braunfels, TX, on July 10, 1931, to Marie Louise Greschel Hingst and Werner Fredrick Hingst.

After attending the University of Texas he married Berniece Schoonover on February 28th, 1959 in Brownsville, TX.

In 1967, he transferred to Managua, Nicaragua and to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1973 before retiring from Texaco in 1991.

Upon retirement he moved to San Antonio, TX and purchased land in Pipe Creek, TX where he started a Christmas Tree Farm. Trading in his suit and tie for jeans and working boots, he worked the land, growing and tending to Christmas trees, bringing him incredible joy. Christmas was truly a special time for him as he cultivated countless relationships and friendships with families that came year after year to select and cut down their Christmas trees to take home. You could always find him in conversation with parents and children wanting to know about their adventures during the year.

Reading Texas history was a passion and there was no question about Texas history that he couldn't answer, nor was there a BBQ spot he couldn't find…

He is survived by his two sons David (and wife, Ashley Bowling Hingst) and Douglas Hingst, and grandchildren; Ryan Hingst and his wife Olivia, Garrett Hingst, Austin Hingst, Mathew Bruder, RJ Bowling, Evans Bowling, Yancy Dahlia Hingst, Marcia Jazmin Hingst, Douglas Avalos Hingst, Ramses Avalos Hingst, Merida Avalos Hingst, Kalem Daniel Hingst and Angelica Avalos Sanchez.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Berniece Schoonover Hingst, and brothers, John Hingst and Dean Hingst.