Celebrant Pam Meily Vetter


	Celebrating Life Everyone Has A Story...

George Roland Hinkle was born to Violet Humeruz in La Paz, Bolivia, in 1941. His stepfather Will Hinkle was a Lt. Colonel in the Army, while his mother was a homemaker. The family was Catholic. As a result of those early years, George retained a love of all things Bolivian throughout his life. When George was six, the family moved to the United States, as his father worked after World War II in packaging systems for the Army. George finished high school in Seattle, Washington.

Professionally, George worked in the Aircraft Industry for many years. In fact, he worked on famous planes such as the F18 Hornet. George married and had five wonderful children. After divorcing, he became a single father who taught his children everything. He was a unique father. He was very strict and the kids had chores around the house, but he had a hidden softer side as well. His life revolved around his children and he was proud of his kids. He was both mother and father and not a traditional Ward Cleaver type. His mother helped with the kids, but she didn't drive. So, one time when they needed a ride to school, they hired a taxi to take Violet to school. There were family weekend mini-vacations just going for a drive. George liked taking the kids to the docks, watching the boats in Long Beach, or taking a Harbor Cruise. He also took the kids to the mountains and the lake for day trips. He was very supportive and loved attending Will's hockey games. For his daughters, he made sure they knew how to cook and clean because he joked "he didn't want their husbands bringing them back to him one day." Marrying for a second time, George added three children plus a stepchild to the mix. Although the second marriage ended, everyone worked together and George was a big part of all of his children's lives. He was supportive and taught the next generation many important lessons.

In 1992, life changed for the rest of George's days as he met the love of his life. George met a special lady by the name of Carole at the Black Angus Restaurant. He was very charming, but the only alarming thing he said was, "I have 8 kids." Carole was surprised by that news, because she had only one son, but she had such a good time with him and he kissed her hand as they said goodbye. She knew she'd go out with him again. A few months later, when the couple traveled to Las Vegas, on the way home, George suggested they go to one of the chapels and get married. In 1994, the couple made it official with a beautiful church wedding ceremony. George was so happy with Carole. Together, they created a beautiful blended family.

In January, George always looked forward to the next Christmas holiday with his family. He decorated the inside of their home and everybody got together to exchange presents. As the kids grew up and had families of their own, some living as far as Phoenix and Idaho, everyone got together in groups. Thanksgiving was a wonderful holiday last year as many of the extended family gathered together. Family was always the best thing in George's life.

During the last 12 years, George owned a small trucking company with eight trucks. Since Carole was a school teacher and had summers off, she'd travel with him in a truck every summer. Together, they probably traveled to every state and it was really fun. Carole and George had a great relationship. They also traveled to Alaska for a beautiful cruise and to Idaho to visit family.

George had many favorites in life. When he was in his 40s, he rode his motorcycle in competitions and he was good at it. He liked watching car races or motorbike races on television. He enjoyed listening to Jazz music of the 50s, Bill Haley and the Comets, Louis Armstrong and Lena Horne. Every Sunday, he'd listen to the music channel and turn on the Latin station. Throughout his life, he had a special love for Latin Bolivian music.

Proud of his heritage, George loved telling stories about the old country. His favorite foods were saltenas, lobster and he loved the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. With an appreciation for animals, George loved all of his dogs, especially Butch and Hercules. His dogs were always good companions. He liked reading the newspaper for current events and he was into politics. When the kids were young, they remember he watched 60 Minutes every week with his parents. More recently, his favorite news stations were Fox News and MSNBC. He bounced back and forth from watching Bill O'Reilly to Keith Olbermann. George was opinionated about issues, but he didn't care what people thought and that added to his charm. He always spoke his mind. Every morning he listened to PBS and every day he'd watch Perry Mason on television. In the evenings, his favorite show was Jeopardy and he was so excited when he knew the answers. He appreciated the outdoors and liked visiting places with family such as Descanso Gardens. He loved ships and the ocean. At one point, he wanted to be a Merchant Marine. He loved visiting Long Beach where they'd watch the ships go in and out of port. His favorite hobby was building model ships. Huge in size, he created three ships out of wood. He even added circuit boards, lights and bought his motors from Europe. He'd take the ships out onto the lake, turn on the lights and float them.

His favorite pastime was calling his children by phone. Every day was a good day to call his children. He absolutely loved and adored his grandchildren as he was known as "Grandpa." He loved hearing stories about all of his grandkids as they grew up and he loved babysitting the little babies in the family. George always told his family "I love you," and he gave the best hugs. He had pet names for everyone that were fun and made you smile.

George will be remembered as a loving, patriarchal, protective man. Carole was his everything and she made him so happy. The family is so grateful Carole and George found each other. As George believed in God, he was spiritual. He believed that when you die, your spirit stays around to protect your family. He was realistic and thought death was a part of life. Like a flower, you're born as a little bud and then you bloom until you have to fall. He promised Carole that after this life, they would be together again. His final words to Carole were, "I love you." Carole will miss George's love, because it was like a warm cocoon. The family will miss talking with him by phone, his laughter, his hugs and his smile. George Hinkle was a spirited husband, father and grandfather, who will be greatly missed…

George is loved and remembered by his wife Carole; children George, Will, Elizabeth, Violet, Chris, Charles, Brad, Belinda, Anthony, and Aimee; grandchildren Cassandra, Samantha, Lorissa, Jake, Sarah, Isabella, Georgie, and Jordan; brother Dirk; step-sister Katherine; extended relatives and friends.