In 1972, Jerry was playing his guitar entertaining children at Festival in the Park in Charlotte, when a pigtailed clown named “Strings,” a Carolina Clown dancing in front of the stage, caught his eye. Strings’ mother, Frances Thomas, was Jerry’s co-worker at The Southeastern Region Accounting Center of Esso, in Charlotte. Jerry asked Cindy on a date and they married on December 22, 1973. For over 48 years, Jerry and Cindy were inseparable. Jerry joined the Carolina Clowns as Gee-tar and together with Strings they were goodwill clowns for nearly 50 years. In the 1970s, Jerry helped form a musical band of oil industry employees, “Country Ham.” The band played free of charge for hospitals, camps, churches, benefits, and festivals and the United Way for 50 years, until the pandemic in 2020. Jerry loved music and all the members of the band.
In 1977, Jerry accepted a transfer to Houston with Exxon Corporation, where he served in many different capacities over his 48-year tenure. He retired in 2017 while located at the Hughes Landing office in The Woodlands, TX.
In 1995, his wife, Cynthia Thomas Hinson, was appointed pastor of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Conroe. For over 24 years Jerry and Cindy worked side-by-side in ministry. Jerry served Christ his Lord as a choir director, Sunday school teacher, youth director, and camp counselor. He made pastoral visits with his wife, developed a sound system, served as a trustee, and shared messages as a Lay Speaker. He was a lifelong Methodist, and truly a man of God. He loved all the members of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Conroe, and established deep relationships there. He missed everyone very much after Cynthia’s retirement in December 2019, when he joined The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
Jerry always thought of the other person. He looked for needs and ways to fill them. He gave his time to help at Special Camp for Special People every year at Lakeview United Methodist Conference Center in Palestine. He loved being a servant to those with special needs. His children and grandchildren were the joy of his life. He was heartbroken when the pandemic restricted worship, family gatherings and travel, and was eagerly awaiting a reunion this fall in the mountains of North Carolina.
Jerry served his community as a Justice Court Chaplain for the Honorable Judge Wayne Mack, as a member of Montgomery County Search and Rescue Team, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and as a lifetime member of Montgomery County Sheriff's Citizens Academy Alumni Association.
Jerry was preceded in death by his mother, Frances Matthews Hinson; his father, Yancy Gerald Hinson, Sr.; and his brother Mike Hinson (NC). He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Cynthia Thomas Hinson; his children: Yancy Gerald Hinson, III and wife, Tara; Elizabeth Hinson Franklin and husband, Jason; and William Thomas Hinson; grandchildren Keely Wilson, Caeden Hinson, and Chloe Hinson (TX); brothers: Marvin Hinson; Bobby Hinson and wife, Martha; and Randy Hinson and wife, Stephanie; sister-in-law Suzanne Hinson, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins, (NC.)
Presiding at the service will be The Reverend Morris Matthis, Director of Leadership Development of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, whom Jerry loved.
Funeral service for Yancy Gerald (Jerry) Hinson, Jr. will be held at Cashner Funeral Home, in Conroe, Texas on Saturday, July 24, 2021 at 2:00pm with visitation at 1:00pm prior to service. Interment will follow service at Garden Park Cemetery. To leave condolences for the family, please go to cashnerconroe.com
