Christian O. Hinds

Chris was born August 21, 1960 in Hollywood and was a victim, of a drive-by shooting on August 14, 2004 near his home in Carson.

He grew up in Gardena where he attended 186th St. Elementary, Peary Middle School and Gardena High (1978). He went to Cal State Dominguez Hills, earning a BA and a Masters in Education. He taught Special Education students at Gage Middle School in Huntington Park for many years. He loved his students and his work. His annual SRO Christmas show, performed by his students, was an emotional experience for all students, parents, faculty and administration who attended.

In 1994 he married the love of his life, Ana Maria Fausto, and they had two beautiful children, Hannah Kristen(4) and Ian Duane(1). He was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed gardening and making constant improvements to the home where he lived for 15 years in a quiet neighborhood with good neighbors.

He was an avid sportsman and sports fan, most particularly USC Trojan football and basketball and was a Laker fan since he was six years old. As a youth he was a competitive skateboarder, the winner of many California titles and the holder of an International Freestyle Championship which he won by performing flawless routines set to music.

He was a runner, golfer, skier and basketball player. He loved to travel throughout California and the Southwest with his family and especially enjoyed mining and ghost towns.

Chris had a talent for entertaining guests and staging parties. His Halloween parties, when he transformed his home into a house of Terror, have been a tradition for 20 years and were much anticipated by his friends. He already was planning this year's event, his always successful goal being to make each affair better than the last. On Christmas Eve his home was a winter wonderland (including at least 6 fully decorated trees) and Chris himself starred as Santa.

He loved music and at one time was the lead singer of his own rock band BPS, which performed at small clubs in the Los Angeles area. He wrote the music and lyrics to many of the songs he performed.

Most of all, though, he enjoyed spending time and playing with his children, Hannah Kristen and Ian Duane, who survive him along with his adored wife Ana. He is also survived by his parents, Duane and Betty Hinds of Gardena; his brother Mark (Marisela) also of Gardena; his aunt Margaret McArdle of Clearwater, FL; his in-laws, Paulino and Luz Fausto, his brothers-in-law Gilbert (Christina), Edward (Victoria), Frank (Claudia) and George; his sisters-in-law Bertha Fausto (Steve Madonna) and Laura (Felix Ramos); plus 7 nieces and nephews, all of the Los Angeles area; a large extended family, and numerous friends,

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Education Fund for Hannah Kristen and Ian Duane Hinds.

A visitation and Vigil will be Monday August 23rd from 6 - 9:00 PM at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Gardena with a service at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, August 24th.