Gail John Hinton

January 21, 1934, was a blustery day in Hurricane, Utah, when Gail John Hinton was born. He was the youngest child of William and Mary (Workman) Hinton, with 3 older brothers and 2 older sisters. He died peacefully on April 13, 2023, at the age of 89 with loved ones near his side. 

He liked to explore the hillside above the house and was active in FFA. He was one of the first Eagle Scouts in Hurricane. He wrestled, played football, and helped on the farm. He graduated from Hurricane High School in 1952 and attended College of Southern Utah in Cedar City on an agricultural scholarship.

He served in the Central States Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He joined the Army and served his country in Germany.

He further pursued his education at Brigham Young University and the University of Utah. He earned his bachelor’s degree and a Master of Arts and Science from Brigham Young University. He married his sweetheart Nita Richins in August 1962 in the St. George Utah Temple. They raised 7 children, lots of chickens, pigs, horses, cows, bees, and even a tortoise.

In the fall of ‘63 he taught for a year at Boulder High School in Boulder City, Nevada. In 1965 he was hired to teach Social Studies at Lone Pine High School, in Inyo County, California. During his tenure in Lone Pine, he also taught U.S. and World History, Government, Drivers Training, Woodshop, Photography/Yearbook, Economics, Civics, and US Government (College Class), he took groups of kids on American Heritage tours back east, and coached football, basketball, baseball, and tennis. He retired from teaching in 1993.

After he retired from teaching, they moved back to his hometown of Hurricane. He kept busy tending to the figs, pomegranates, pecans, and jujubes on the family farm. He loved to build furniture, toys, and numerous other items. He was actively involved in the communities in which he lived – Scouting in Hurricane and Lone Pine, Lone Pine EMT, Olancha Fire Department, Hurricane Historical Society, Hurricane City Tree Board, the 4th grade essay contest by the Sons of Utah Pioneers, Huntsman’s World Senior Games in St. George, and many others.      

He and his wife served missions at the Church Institute in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Temples in Lima, Peru, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, and St. George, Utah. Faith, Family, Country, Service, were very much a part of his life.

Gail is survived by his six daughters: Melissa (David Breiter), Nancy Ann, Rebecca (Jerry Huffman), Samantha, Julie (Steve Hirschi), and Susan (Seth Brown), 24 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by His wife of 59 years Nita Hinton, his son John Gail, his parents William and Mary (Workman) Hinton, and all of his siblings Marion, Carlon, Alda (Murphy), Delmer, and Lenna Mae (Judd).

There will be viewings held at the Red Brick Church, at 274 S 100 W, Hurricane, Utah, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, on Friday, April 21, 2023, and a viewing from 9:00 - 10:15 am, on Saturday, April 22, 2023.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 11:00 am, at the Hurricane City Cemetery, 225 E 600 N, Hurricane, UT.

Friends and family are invited to sign Gail’s online guestbook at www.spilsburymortuary.com

The family is especially grateful to Nurse Rusty and Nurse Brandon for their compassionate care at St George Regional Medical Center.

Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S Bluff St, St. George, Utah, (435) 673-2454.