Wynn Kay Hinkson — in Loving Memory
Favorite Uncle for 29 Nieces and Nephews
Memories...
We'd like to collect as many memories as possible about our brother, father, grandfather, relative, and friend, Wynn.
Daniel, Mom, Wynn, Chris - 2018
Wynn and Grandkids - 2019
Our memories of Wynn are not distant or fading — they keep him present in the moments he shaped, the work he did, and the lives he touched. In remembering him, something real and lasting remains with us.
Please click below and share your thoughts and memories about Wynn Kay Hinkson
Whether it's just a few words or a book about our beloved Wynn, please take a moment or a day, and warm us up and make our universe better.
Click here to begin sharing, or you can just email to memories@wynnhinkson.com.
Treasured Memories and Thoughts About Wynn:
Judy Vincent
I met Wynn Hinkson in June of 1977, shortly after he had returned from serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Chile.
At the time I was working for Air California Airlines. I had become friends with a young woman at work who shared a similar church background, and during our breaks we began reading the Book of Mormon together. Through that experience I was just beginning to become reactivated in the church myself. I had also started attending the family ward where Wynn’s family attended and where Wynn returned after his mission.
When Wynn came back to the ward, he approached me in his role as a single representative. He asked for my phone number and address and invited me to activities for the singles in the ward.
After I attended a couple of those activities, Wynn asked me on a date. Later he confided in me that when he first approached me to ask for my contact information, he had already hoped he would eventually ask me out. We both laughed about that.
I was impressed with Wynn. I thought he was very good-looking and quite the gentleman. He would open my car door and other doors for me, and he was always very complimentary about my cooking when I invited him over for dinner. I also discovered how thoughtful he was. One day when I arrived home from work, I found a wonderful surprise waiting in front of my garage—a beautiful bouquet of flowers along with burgers and fries from Burger King. A little while later Wynn showed up so we could share the dinner together, which was my favorite part of the surprise.
A few months later Wynn invited me to a romantic dinner in Laguna Beach. After dinner we walked down to a beautiful beach behind a restaurant that used to be there called Victor Hugo’s. It was there that Wynn knelt down and proposed to me.
We were married on December 10, 1977. It was a short but wonderful courtship. Wynn later told me that not long after we started dating he had gone to his father and told him he believed he had already met the girl he wanted to marry. He asked if it would be alright to marry me even though he had not dated very many girls after his mission. Thankfully his father told him yes.
After we were married, our plan was for Wynn to move to Utah and enroll at Brigham Young University. However, the family had a dairy business that needed help, so our plans changed and we stayed in California to assist. We rented an apartment in Anaheim where we lived during the first year of our marriage.
Three months after we were married we learned that we were expecting our first child. Christopher Michael was born on November 25, 1978. It was an extremely happy year for us.
Eventually the dairy business was sold, but by then our plans for school had changed. We experienced some lean years as we tried to determine the right direction for our family. Wynn decided to pursue real estate and studied for and obtained his license.
We were able to purchase our first home in Garden Grove, California. It was there that our second son, Michael Jay, was born on November 13, 1980.
Many Sundays were spent at the Hinkson family home with parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews. Those were happy times spent together, usually enjoying the many salads Grandma Norma had prepared, and the evening often ended with popcorn. We also spent several family nights together at Huntington Beach with the extended Hinkson family.
Wynn remained a romantic even after we were married. I was spoiled on birthdays, Mother’s Days, Christmases, and many days in between. He loved surprising me with gifts, candy, clothes, and jewelry whenever we could afford it. He had wonderful taste and I never had to take anything back.
Friday nights were always date nights that I could count on, even if we didn’t spend a dime.
The boys loved playing with and wrestling with their dad. They were great little travelers, and we took vacations to visit grandparents in Colorado. We also camped with the Hinkson family in Yosemite, visited family in Ouray, Colorado for a reunion, and traveled to Salt Lake City to see the historic sites there. The boys always thought traveling in motor homes and staying in hotels was great fun.
Five years later we were blessed with another wonderful son, Daniel Kay, born June 16, 1985. By that time Chris was seven and Michael was five, and they welcomed and loved their little brother.
Wynn and I eventually went our separate ways, but we remained friends and continued to spend many Christmases together with the boys. Wynn would bring Chris, Michael, and Daniel to California during the summers whenever he could so he could spend time with them.
Wynn and Judy always maintained a mutual respect and affection for one another, a bond that will endure throughout eternity.
Barbie Hinkson (Sister)
My favorite story of Wynn is when I was very young and we lived in the Anaheim house. And he used to tell me on trash day, that if the trash man saw me or if I was bad, the trash man will take me away.
I love that he hiked the John Muir trail, all by himself, no training hike — did the entire trail, 211 miles in 6 days.
One morning, he didn't want to go seminary, and dad said, OK, you can stay home and mop the floors. He went to seminary.
Wynn was always a staple at the Fountain Valley house. He would always pop in to family events, he'd visit with everyone, and when ready he'd say he had enough of you people and head back into his room, but he would always come out and visit.
He was so kind to mom, he would take her shopping at Walmart at least once a week, and mom loved going down every isle. They would spend hours making sure they saw everything there was to see. He really was so good to her.
Kelly Hinkson (Sister in Law)
Wynn and Judy drove Greg and I to a high school formal dance. They double dated at the fancy restaurant with us. It was a fun evening.
Wynn was always willing to help Greg with any and every computer or phone problem. Greg kept electronics as long as he possibly could so he wouldn't have to learn a new one. As they limped along Greg would often call Wynn for help fixing a phone or computer that should have long since died. He would grumble and complain at first, but he ALWAYS helped when asked. When Greg would finally break down and get a new device, he went straight to Wynn to help him set it up. Greg always knew Wynn was there for him whenever he asked.
Greg loved Wynn deeply and considered him one of his best friends all of his life.
La Quinta High School Notice About Wynn's Passing
Wynn Hinkson
Marty HInkson (Brother)
Wynn, Greg, and I would go to the car show every year for 20 plus years. Afterwards we would go to dinner and talk about all the new cars.
We always went to Marie Calendars for dinner and pie after the Priesthood session of General Conference.
Kent Hinkson (Brother)
This is Wynn's favorite singer and his favorite song of all time. Listening to it helps me remember Wynn's tenderness and love for Judy.
Melony Hinkson (Sister-in-Law)
Kent and I used to communicate with Wynn via text a couple of times a month regarding orders he would make for product. The last year or so he started calling while he was driving to pick up bodies. Mine and Kent's conversations with Wynn got longer over the course of time in 2024-2025. Wynn and Kent are the same about phone calls; they really don't like to talk of the phone. Then a few months before Wynn ended up in the Hospital leading to his first surgery, his calls increased and lengthened. Sometimes twice a day. When he couldn't come for Halle's Mission farewell because of his surgery, the calls jumped up to 3 times a day. Sometimes Kent would call him at night on my phone because his phone would be dead and promptly fall asleep. One time in January Wynn and I talked for over an hour and he said, "I can't believe I've been on the phone this long." adding, "Thank you, I can't believe how lonely I've been feeling." I apologized for the length of time and he said, "No, no, no... but there was a lot to say. I'm just surprised." That was the first of several hour long talks these last few months. I can still hear him saying, "No, no, no... but..."
Wynn lived with us for just under a year from the fall of 2000 to 2001. A lot of our older kids had already moved out and we loved having him here. Especially me! He really was an organized adult with very clean living habits. It was a WONDERFUL Support to have him shake his head and get after the boys when they would leave personal things out in the family living spaces.
At meal time when someone would have a disrespectful remark, Wynn would look at me and say, "Melony, you need to take this kid out in the back yard and bury him" and then laugh like it was the funniest thing he'd ever said! He would always add, "You have so many of them, ONE won't be missed!!" and laugh again! This was repeated several times while he was here with different and/or multiple offenders.
Even though that was a unique way to call someone out for their disrespect, he would look at the offender and not another word would be said. Because of his infectious laugh, it would lighten the moment, I would laugh and the offender would get the message loud and clear that what they had done/said was inappropriate.
More importantly, when the infraction was over, it was over. I never heard him criticize any of the kids after the fact and everyone loved to hang out with Uncle Wynn!
Wynn was always a great support to me with the challenges of this big family, especially seeing it up close and personal the way he did. I was always so grateful for his friendship, honesty, and kindness to me.
Daniel Hinkson (Son)
I have been struggling to come up with a favorite memory, and I’m only now realizing it’s because so much of my relationship with my dad carried a kind of duality.
I’m sure you all knew he made a point to come out every Christmas to see us kids, and he made those visits feel magical. Christmas was my favorite time of year as a child because of that.
But those memories are inseparable from another truth: for most of my childhood, I saw my dad once a year.
There is real goodness in my relationship with my dad, but also an undeniable incompleteness.
Daniel Hinkson (Nephew - Greg/Kelly son)
On a few, rare occasions I remember Uncle Wynn letting me into his room. As a kid, it felt like peering behind Oz’s curtain. Uncle Wynn was Oz, his machinery was hardware components and computer parts. His throne an office chair. I remember thinking how cool it was that he had a bunk bed and on the top were strewn pieces of hardware. I always felt privileged to see behind the door we frequently ding-dong ditched.
Chelsea Hinkson (Niece - Greg/Kelly daughter)
He used to talk to me about the Starbucks he was a regular at, cause he knew I worked at Starbucks. If I recall correctly, he was a dark roast man. He would complain about the new changes they would roll out sometimes and I would try to soften him about them haha. But I could tell the employees there loved him. It was fun to have that connection.
Emily Hinkson (Niece - Greg/Kelly daughter)
I feel like I really got to know him and connect with him the most while dad was in the hospital. He spent all day with us there and just talked to me without all his crusty exterior. It was sweet to see and hear how much he loved dad! I also remember as a kid dingdong ditching his door and him being mad but never being scared of him because we just always knew he was a big teddy bear inside! I NEVER GOT TO SEE HIS ROOM! I always wanted to. He was always unapologetically himself.
Scott Hinkson (Nephew - Greg/Kelly daughter)
As a young kid I remember all the older cousins always ding dong ditching his room and all of us all scattering, I was never aware of a real reason to run other than because all my cousins were. I started to get to know him when we would go to dinner after the priesthood sessions of general conference and have memories of him getting so excited during conversations Uncle Marty and my dad would have to quiet his booming voice haha. I feel like I really connected with him while my dad was in the hospital. He showed a new side to me and my siblings I had never seen, talking about memories of my dad and a whole new level of comfort with us I'd never experienced before. He often came off as kind of a grumpy man but was truly one of the kindest and most genuine people ever.
Robin Marquez (Owner of Funeral and Cremation Services of Orange County)
Well we called Wynn “Grumpy” — he was a bundle of joy most days! After Greg’s passing he became much more jovial and pleasant to talk to!
Wynn's work ethic was well above what was required! He was extremely organized and dedicated to his character. He was a wealth of knowledge about any and all difficult situations concerning removals outside the norm! I had clients who would call him direct to find out how, when, and what was needed to secure a seamless removal process.
I think what character trait Wynn embraced the most was his ability to relate to grieving families. His demeanor and tone along with his professionalism ( no matter his personal restrictions) never changed! He was a great man and superior employee!
"If I had 10 Wynn's I could rule the world!"
Jayne Monson (Niece - Ray/Barbie daughter)
Uncle Wynn would pick me up from school and even as an adult drive me to the airport.
So when we got stuck, he was always available to help. He could also turn any boring dinner conversation into entertaining. If you wanted to know if a movie was worth seeing or not, he gave accurate good reviews.
Jenny (Niece - via Ray/Barbie)
That’s funny, I remember walking down the stairs singing Winnie the poo, and then he would grumble and start heading our way, and then we would run back up the stairs
Katy (Niece - Ray/Barbie daughter)
When Kiera and Erica’s pet rabbit, Fluffy, died he told us he did it.
Oh yeah. We would walk by his door and sing the Winnie the Pooh song until he would yell at us through the door. Usually some sort of threat.
Always ding dong ditching him. Knocking on the door and running away.
Kendra (Niece - Ray/Barbie daughter)
I would knock on his door and run away. He never came looking. Would just yell some angry words. I think he enjoyed the game.
Truman (Nephew - Kent/Melony son)
At Grandma Hinksons funeral...Wynn approached me and said:
"Truman, whenever you would come visit when you were driving thru for work Grandma would get really excited. She really loved you alot" and than he paused and said "we are all really proud of you and what you have chosen to do with your life."
Thought I'd show the softer side of Uncle Wynn
More Memories Shared Here via the Onlihe Form
Diane and I came back from lunch and Chris was still speaking with the hospice nurse. When the nurse left, we gave Chris his lunch and he went out to get some air and eat his lunch. Within 10 minutes they transferred Wynn to a quieter room. After nurses got him settled in new room they left. Diane called Dave so Dave could talk to Wynn over the phone briefly.
I had my hands on his feet, and I was praying that those he loved from the other side would be with him to bring comfort. It was a very peaceful environment. Shortly after, he had a gap in his breathing. I watched, and he breathed again. There was another pause, longer this time. This happened 5-6 more times, each gap longer. I moved to be by his side, I alerted Diane, and she called Chris, who was eating his lunch. We were both by his side, hands on him, checking for a pulse. The last time the breathing stopped, there was a pulse, and then there wasn't. He slipped away very peacefully.
But, of course, in our way of thinking, we weren't breaking any rules... we didn't cross the street... we went underneath it.
That’s when everything changed.
A woman’s car struck me—and the impact sent me into Wynn. Like a cue ball hitting another in a game of pool, the force launched him through the air, across the street, and into the curb. I stayed at the point of impact.
My femur was shattered into multiple pieces. Wynn’s was a clean break, and he recovered more quickly. I spent most of the next year in a full body cast.
And yes—this all happened just days after school let out for summer.
We lost the entire summer.
There were times growing up when that sense of adventure crossed over into things that, looking back now, were downright dangerous. And more often than not… Wynn was right in the middle of it—sometimes leading the charge.
One time, after a storm had come through, a power line had been knocked down into the driveway. It was still live, snapping and sparking. Most people would have stayed as far away as possible. Not Wynn. He was fascinated by it—watching the sparks, getting closer than anyone should, almost playing with it. I remember thinking, even then, that this was not a good idea.
Another time, we got hold of a bunch of .22 caliber rimfire bullets and started hitting the sides of them with a hammer. Each strike would set one off with a sharp crack—and we had no idea where those bullets were going. That one really shook me. It was one of those moments where you realize how quickly things could have gone very wrong.
That was part of Wynn, though. He wasn’t timid. He leaned into life. Sometimes too far. But there was something in him that was curious, fearless, and drawn to experience things for himself—even if it made the rest of us a little nervous.
And somehow, through all of that… he made it through. And in later years, that same boldness settled into something steadier—into a man who showed up, who helped, and who could be counted on when it mattered most.
Wynn was very busy, so he paid one of his workers to come fix the door.
Another example of he was always 'there'.
You are loved, Uncle Wynn