Thomas "Tom" Franklin Hinson

Tom Hinson left us to be with the Lord on December 15, 2023. He died peacefully in his home after a battle with cancer. Tom was deeply loved by his family and friends for his sense of adventure, enthusiasm for the outdoors, kindness, and sense of humor. He was highly respected in the community for his work as the owner/operator of a construction business for 30 years. His absence will be felt by many for years to come.

Tom was born in Kennett, Missouri in 1949, the third of 7 children. The family moved to Washington State in the early 1950s and settled in the lower Yakima Valley. During his childhood, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family hunting in Central Washington, fishing the Yakima and Columbia Rivers, and camping in the Cascade mountains. Tom attended Toppenish High School with the legendary class of ’67 where he participated in football, basketball, and track and field. He and his buddies loved working on cars and dragging Yakima Avenue. Tom worked for the family business from a young age learning excavation and the construction trade.

In 1982, while working in Selah, WA, Tom met the love of his life, Jno, while eating breakfast one morning at a nearby restaurant. They sat next to each other at the counter, and he struck up a conversation with her to learn that they were both working at the new Safeway store being built. He was excavating the parking lot, and she was working on the checkout system and training employees. They began dating, and Tom introduced her to his son, Ancy, from a former marriage. A year later, as fate would have it, a friend called Tom one day to inform him about the opening for a cashier-checker teacher in the Yakima School District. Tom called Jno who interviewed for the job and was hired. She moved to Yakima from Bellevue, where Tom introduced her to country living, country music, and life in the Yakima Valley.

Several years later, a friend of Tom’s in the construction business phoned to ask him to come to California to help out on a job in South Orange County. The friend was the superintendent on a project to build a 135-acre estate for General William Lyon (former USAF Major General, and owner/CEO of Air Cal). The job required an expert heavy equipment operator. Enticed by the opportunity, Tom moved to California. The following summer, Jno quit her teaching job to join him. Having been born and raised in Southern California, she was excited about the move. Soon after she arrived, they became engaged.

Feeling closed in by the new city life and lack of hunting opportunities, Tom planned a week-long, bow-hunting excursion with his hunting buddy. They traveled to an area near Flagstaff, Arizona, to hunt for Elk. After hiking in for at least a mile, Tom took the perfect shot and downed a 6 x 7 trophy bull. The men were elated, but quickly realized they had to pack out the 1,000-pound animal. Oh, did they have stories! The Elk would later register as a Pope & Young record. The mount was delivered to Tom’s Irvine house in an 8-foot crate—not a likely event for a California neighborhood!

Shortly thereafter, Tom and Jno exchanged their vows at Christ College Chapel in Irvine followed by a reception at El Toro. They were joined by family and friends from both Yakima and California. The celebration continued a day later with a trip to Disneyland followed by a honeymoon in Puerto Vallarta. In 1988, they bought their first home in a new development called Rancho Santa Margarita. It was there that they brought into the world their son Matt. A fond memory for the family was Matt’s dedication by Pastor Rick Warren at Saddleback Church, a sanctuary where they often attended services.

Tom grew his construction business during those years of building frenzy through the job opportunities of a lifetime. He worked on custom projects in Coto de Caza, Newport Beach, and Malibu. When the recession hit in 1991, building came to a halt, and Tom moved his family back to Yakima. This required two long hauls back to the northwest. Happy to be back in Central Washington, Tom always said he wanted to make a bumper sticker that read, “I survived 6 years in Southern California.”

The family settled West Valley, Yakima, and Tom’s third son, Zach, was born. Tom was actively involved in all three boys’ sports and activities from the time they were little. He taught them to hunt, fish, and enjoy the great outdoors. Meanwhile, Tom continued to build his construction business through jobs around the valley that included Zirkle Fruit, Valley Fruit, Memorial Hospital, Children’s Village, North Star Lodge, and Cottage in the Meadow among others.

When not working, Tom would never hesitate to help friends and others who needed an expert with heavy equipment. He spent weekends off taking the family to the mountains or the rivers to camp, hunt, fish, trail ride, snowmobile, or water ski. Tom also enjoyed watching his son, Zach, develop his music talent and supported him in his pursuit of a country music career in Nashville. He and Jno were able to make several trips to visit him. After retirement, Tom bought a fishing boat and spent hours with friends fishing the waters in Drano, Rufus Woods, and Lake Roosevelt. When not on the water, he would spend time preparing for the next fishing trip in his self-made “fishing lure center” at the shop. Right now, Tom is surely fishing in Heaven with his beloved boys Andy and Matt.

Tom is survived by his wife, Jno Hinson, and son, Zachary Hinson; granddaughter, MacKenzie Hinson; siblings, Pam Fork (Keith), Sheila Hinson(Bennie Arnold), Terry Kessinger, Tim Hinson (Monie) and Paul Hinson; nephews and nieces, Jody Gray (Greg), Bill Wentz (Carla Jaeger), Tammie Wentz-Blevins, Roberta Wentz (Trevor Sander), Jeff Delp, Jen Brooks, Amber Kessinger, T.J. Hinson (Angie), Wes Hinson (Julie), and Dustin Hinson (Kristy) Sarabeth Kerr (Austin), Holly Hinson; and many cherished grandnieces and grandnephews.

He is predeceased by his son Andy Hinson, son Matt Hinson, sister Joane Wentz, and parents Willa and Joe Hinson.

A celebration of Tom Hinson’s life will be held on Sunday, May 5, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

at 1230 Pleasant Valley Rd., Yakima, 98908. In lieu of flowers, please honor Tom by sending donations in his name to North Star Cancer Center in Yakima.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Hinson family.