People walk in and out of our lives all the time. Some leave no trace at all. Others leave muddy boot prints of their dysfunctional lives. A few leave footprints so deep and abiding that they forever change the way we ourselves walk in our own lives. Don S. “Pappy” Hinkle was in this small minority of people. I will always remember Pappy Hinkle for his humor and heart for God and people!
Pappy taught me to laugh no matter what, even if my little world was caving in, because “the joy of the Lord was my strength!” He loved to laugh loudly, and the sound of his laugh was good medicine! He wore a permanent smile, and he loved to walk briskly while whistling a happy tune. He would encourage me to keep pace with him and to walk close to the Master ( Jesus). Pappy Hinkle was the minister who led me to the Lord. He encouraged me to go to Bible College just to see what exciting things God could do in my life.
My spiritual father in the faith was no holier-than-thou type of a guy. He was down to earth, and he loved Christ Jesus with all of his heart. He loved to see people accept Jesus as their Savior and go on to live dedicated to the glory of God! He told funny stories about various things that happened to him in the ministry. Some of them would be embarrassing, but it didn’t bother him because he was transparent and unpretentious.
When he sang, not only at church, but also at camp, banquets, revivals, in the car, and at Men’s clinics, the love of Jesus radiated from his face. Matter of fact, he was the best song leader that the Kiamichi clinic (a men’s clinic that had 5,000 to 8,000 men singing the loudest that they could possibly sing) ever had! I loved it when he would sing at youth functions “Let me call you sweetheart” or “Down by the Old Mill stream.” He truly was a classic or one-of-a-kind type of a servant for Jesus. His granddaughter’s favorites were ‘I’ll Fly Away’ and ‘Nothing is Impossible!’
Pappy Hinkle was an excellent spiritual leader. He was patient, kind, and sensitive, even though he saw me (others too) at our best—and worse. He still loved me (us) anyway! He was a good friend who made it easy to live for the Lord when you were around him. Pappy kept his eyes on the Lord Jesus in all situations, and he responded as the Spirit of Christ directed him. His ministry has never been duplicated at the churches where he served the Lord.
Pappy’s death left a huge hole in my life! I still miss him today, but it’s easy to imagine the echo of his laughter, singing, and whistling on the streets of gold in Heaven. "Thank you, God, for sending Pappy Hinkle into my life! I am a life changed because of him and his love for You, O’ God."
Now it's you turn, write me a tribute of your loved one, and send it to me. If you don't see my mailing address or e-mail address around his article, please call your local newspaper and ask the editor for it. He or she has it, and they will be glad to share this information.
John T. Catrett, III
Chaplain at Scissortail Hospice
124 East Broadway, PO Box 1216
Drumright, OK. 74030
(918) 352-3080
E-mail address john.catrett3@gmail.com