James "Jim" Curtis Hinson Sr., 84, of Ponce Inlet, FL passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 19, 2024 at Advent Health Hospital New Smyrna Beach, FL.
Jim was born in Ona, FL on February 6, 1940 to Jake and Mary Hinson. He married Mary Lou Blackert on November 6, 1971 in Clearwater, FL.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Lou Hinson; son, James Curtis Hinson Jr; two sisters, Mary Linda-Wood and Claudia Yancey; six grandchildren, James C Hinson III (Brandie), Zoe Messer, Cheylan Messer, Belinda Hall (Danny), Lacie Haarmann (Brett), Heidi Reifsteck (Jake); Fourteen great-grandchildren; and Philip (Marilyn) Dague.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother; Eugene Hinson, two daughters; Deborah Hinson and Sheila Hinson and a grandchild Jennifer Hinson.
Jim proudly served in the U.S. Army and once discharged went to work for the U.S. Postal Service until his retirement in 1992. He and his wife Mary Lou moved to Ponce Inlet, FL in 1997 where he became very active in the community. He served on the Town Council for two terms, and during those terms founded the yearly Volunteer Dinner, was Chairman on the Ponce Inlet Planning Board, and the Ponce Inlet Code Board. He also served as President for the Ponce Inlet Community Center Board, Citizen's for Ponce Inlet, and Lions Club where he was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow award which is the highest Lions award.
Jim loved the Ponce Inlet community and was proud to be a resident. Jim and a group of eight veterans founded the Ponce Inlet Veterans Memorial which was dedicated on November 11, 2011. Jim took great pride in being the MC for their annual ceremonies and he was instrumental in founding the Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade. Jim and his wife Mary Lou were awarded the Citizen of the Year award and then years later the Lifetime Achievement award.
A funeral service will be held at 12 pm on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Lohman Funeral Home in Port Orange, FL with a visitation being held two hours prior to the service (10 am – 12 pm).
Memorial donations may be made to The Lions Club of Ponce Inlet 4670 S. Peninsula Dr. Ponce Inlet FL, 32027.