Charles Herbert Hinkle

      Charles Herbert Hinkle was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. Charles always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, Charles was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.       His parents were Clyde Gladys and Lura Mae Hinkle. Charles was raised in Rader's Side Track Community. Always able to express himself well, Charles possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, Charles was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.      As a young child, Charles showed his creative ability in many ways. He was outgoing and animated. Charles enjoyed new activities and pursued a variety of interests. He took part in baseball, basketball and fishing. Charles' memorable achievements included.      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, Charles was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He graduated from Mosheim High School in 1949. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers.      Friends and acquaintances found Charles an easy man to get to know, and those close to him would often praise his open, practical style of communication and relaxed approach to life in general. Charles was uncomplicated and straightforward in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for what they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were Betty Brown (they were "Sweethearts" since grade school).      On November 1, 1949 Charles exchanged wedding vows with Betty Yvonne Brown at the the home of the Rev. Cecil Beasley of Mosheim, TN. Charles was attentive to Betty's feelings, and he charmed Betty and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, Charles was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.      Very much like a kid himself, Charles identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. Charles was blessed with three, son, Charles Randy and two daughters, Sandra Darlene and Sonya Yvonne. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Todd, Tiffany, Brandon and Brianna.      Charles was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, Charles’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, Charles was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. Charles could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. His primary occupation was a security guard. He was employed for over 30 years by Philips Consumer Electronics.      Charles was an Army veteran. Charles was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He was at Fort Devons, Massachusetts. Charles saw action for the Korean War. He achieved the rank of Private First Class. He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so.      Charles enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He had something of an artistic flair in many of the things that he did. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were antiques, farming and being with his family; watching Gunsmoke, Bonanza and old western movies. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.      Because he liked to take risks, Charles was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Charles was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were college football, basketball, volleyball and wrestling.      Charles was a gifted problem solver who worked hard to help accomplish group goals. This skill made him a wonderful asset to the various groups and organizations to which he belonged. Always matter-of-fact about what needed to be done, Charles worked steadily to meet any organization’s goals. Throughout his later years, Charles was an active member of the Moose Lodge and Eastern Star Mason's.      Charles held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member Brown Springs Baptist Church for 12 years.      Travel and vacations were experiences that Charles truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included Asheville, NC, Nebraska and the beach.      Charles was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Charles’s favorites was Blackie, a Lab. They were best friends for 10 years.      When Charles’s retirement finally came in 1990, he was well prepared. He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, he found new pleasure in helping others, looking for antiques, gardening, cattle and hay.      Charles passed away on November 22, 2009 at Johnson City Medical Center. He is survived by his children: Darlene Wilhoit and Sonya Campbell; his grandchildren: Brandon and Brianna Campbell, Tiffany Roberts and Todd Wilhoit and his great grandchildren: Cameron and Braelynn Wilhoit and Trenton Roberts. Services were held at Brown Springs Baptist Church. Charles was laid to rest in Brown Springs Cemetery.      Charles was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If Charles had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember Charles Herbert Hinkle.