Kenneth Rodger Hinckley

Kenneth Rodger Hinckley passed away peacefully at his home in Austin on Wednesday, April 12. He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Rodger Hinckley; his mother, Elizabeth Vaughan Hinckley; his sister, Dorothy Hinckley Bobb; and his beloved wife and best friend of 57 years, June Benefield Hinckley. He is survived by their three children: Carolyn Hinckley Boyle and husband James G. Boyle of Austin, Nancy Neill of Houston, and William Rodger Hinckley and wife Cyndi Brooks Hinckley of Houston and Lampasas, and his grandchildren Amanda Marie Boyle, Holliday Brooks Hinckley and Walter Rowdy Hinckley. There are numerous well-scattered relatives. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas on August 8, 1921, and his childhood was spent in Waco, Dallas and Houston, where he graduated from San Jacinto High School. Ken then went to Alaska for three years where he became responsible for a placer gold-mining operation established in Nome by his father, who was a U.S. Marshal in the Territory of Alaska. During Alaskan winters he attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. Soon after war was declared, Ken joined the Army Air Corps, and his military service culminated honorably almost four years later with the 5th Air Force in New Guinea and the Netherlands East Indies. Upon discharge, he resumed his studies at the University of Texas in Austin. He graduated with a BBA degree and went to work for Houston Lighting & Power Company. Over the next 37 years he progressed upward through the various management ranks to his ultimate election as Group Vice President of External Relations. This put him in charge of all customer activities, district operations, marketing, advertising, public relations and legislative efforts at the local, State and Federal levels. In addition to corporate responsibilities, Ken was active in many civic, charitable and industry organizations, including the Houston and East Texas Chambers of Commerce, Baylor College of Medicine, Better Business Bureau, Clean Houston, Houston Convention Council, Trees for Main Street, March of Dimes, United Fund and the Edison Electric Institute. Despite his achievements and the rewards that resulted, Ken had an unpretentious view of his position as he recognized the uncertainty of life tomorrow. Because his high-stress responsibilities became a threat to his health and he felt he needed no more major challenges or recognition, Ken surprised his peers by requesting early retirement. He and June could have chosen to live their retirement years anywhere, so they decided on the Hill Country of Austin, where they first met at the University of Texas and where they already had a second home on Lake Travis. While enjoying both lakeside and hilltop residences in Austin, Ken became a Life Member of the Texas Exes, participated in the University’s continuing education programs and lectures, and provided financial and spectator support of Longhorn athletics. The highlight of 2006 was watching the UT football team win the national championship. Ken and June enjoyed many worldwide travels with the Flying Longhorns. He was an exemplar of the “greatest generation,” which author Tom Brokaw described in the following way: “They came of age during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America—men and women whose everyday lives of duty, honor, achievement, and courage gave us the world we have today.” Ken was a role model for his family, friends, and business associates, and his greatest legacy is the many people he inspired to be the best that they can be. A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 17, 2006 at St. John’s United Methodist Church, 2140 Allandale Road in Austin, with Rev. Bobbi Kaye Jones officiating. A military honor guard will participate in the private graveside services to honor Ken as a decorated World War II veteran. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to St. John’s UMC Building Fund, 2140 Allandale Road, Austin, TX 78756, or Texas Exes Scholarship, P.O. Box 152563, Austin, TX 78714. Obituary and guestbook on line at wcfish.com