Cloudy and Windy, 52° F
(Jan. 17, 2007)
David Thomas Hinkle, 55-year-old Lander businessman, died Wednesday, Jan. 17.
He was born in Lander June 5, 1951 to Joseph Thomas Hinkle and Alys Maxine Brandon Hinkle.
He grew up in Lander and graduated from Fremont Vocational County High School in 1969. After high school, David enlisted in the United States Army, 101st Airborne Division, building bridges with the Army Corps of Engineers. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and was honorably discharged as a decorated Vietnam War veteran in 1973.
Following his honorable discharge, he attended the University of Wyoming for one year before he began working in the family business, American Industrial Laundry, Inc., as the division manager of Eagle Uniform in Rock Springs. David continued to work in the family business from 1974 to 1994, purchasing the business in 1994 from his parents, Joe and Alys. He continued to expand the business statewide.
In 1975, David and Lisa McCart were married in Lander. They had three children, Jess, Sarah, and Cale.
David was an avid reader and loved the great outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, kayaking, skiing, snow boarding, and snowmobiling with his family. He was one of the first group of students who attended NOLS in the late sixties and in the summer before he graduated from FCVHS he worked as an instructor for Paul Petzoldt, founder of the National Outdoor Leadership School. David enjoyed flying and attained his pilot’s license in 1978, flying mainly for his business.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church.
David is survived by his parents, Joe and Alys Hinkle of Lander; sister Dana Hinkle of Lander; sons Jess Hinkle and Cale Hinkle of Lander; daughter Sarah and husband, Charles Hutson of Cheyenne, and grandson Camden Hutson of Cheyenne.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. at the Lander Community Center.
