John Lay Hinnant

JOHN LAY HINNANT Oct. 24, 1927 - Sept. 24, 2006 It took 9/11 to show the public about American Heroes. They showed their heart and toughness, we already knew; we had one right in our own home. John L. Hinnant devoted his entire life to his country and his family. He joined the Navy as a fireman at the age of 17. Upon his release in 1945, at barely 20 he immediately joined the Miami Fire Department and served 30 years. He was one of the original paramedics who saved the life of a man on the street with the newly developed, now popular defibrillator. He went from hard rubber tires and almost antique trucks to airlifting the injured by helicopter to the rooftop landing at Jackson Memorial Hospital. It was quite a history including 10 years with the Miami Dade Fire Department. He influenced dozens of young men and women into joining the Fire Department as a career and they thanked him many times over. They learned from him what it meant to be a knowledgeable hero in action. John is survived by his wife of 32 years and stepmother to his children, Shirley Russell Hinnant and the achievement of which he is most proud: his four children. Steven A. Hinnant and Carol LeBert Hinnant, Loretta Hinnant Pameijer and Ronald Pameijer, Wayne J and Mary Catherine Madigan Hinnant, Elaine Hinnant Deehl and Todd V. Deehl. Seven grandchildren Barbara Hinnant and Dwayne Drury, Deborah Hinnant and Benjamin Hope, Brandi-Leigh Pameijer, Erin Hinnant, Matthew Hinnant, Michael T. Deehl, and Christina Deehl. Four great grandchildren Megan Drury, Katelyn Drury, Benjamin Hope V, Scott Tyler Hope (eleven of whom are fire department and public service oriented, from Rookie to Battalion Chief). He is also survived by all extended Russell and Hinnant families. He fought many battles against that enemy of all firefighters, heart and lung disease. His last battle was his hardest and longest. He fought like the warrior he was. In the end the cancer won. If he were to be asked about his life, he would quote an old Indian Prayer<$> "Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes, so when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame."