Gene Hinckley, 1929 - 2012
JACKSON, MI – Eugene Hinkley, better known as Gene, a longtime local businessman and staple of the Jackson-area golf scene, died Monday afternoon.
Hinkley, a Jackson native, died due to heart failure in his home in Clark Lake at the age of 83. Hinkley was the owner of The Tool Crib, Inc., which he eventually sold, and Neighborhood Dry Cleaners, 3220 Wildwood Ave., for the last 15 years. He also worked as a representative for Alro Steel Corp.
Also an avid and passionate golfer, Hinkley was inducted into the Jackson Golf Hall of Fame in the summer of 2011. He was a member of the Arbor Hills Golf Club for more than 40 years, according to his son, Kevin Hinkley.
"My dad, he was always visible in the community ... and he's going to be missed. He's going to be missed." Kevin Hinkley said.
After graduating from Jackson High School, Gene Hinkley attended Western Michigan University for a few years on a baseball scholarship. Before he became known for his talent on the golf course, Gene was a standout shortstop, Kevin said.
Gene's brother, Jack, and nephew, Brian, currently run the Hinkley Bakery, 700 S. Blackstone St., which was started by Gene's father.
Hinkley's golf career accomplishments include winning the Jackson Seniors Match Play tournament in 1991, the Kalamazoo Country Club best ball tournament in 1966 and the Arbor Hills Country Club championship three times.
Kevin Hinkley said his father didn't begin to take golf seriously until after college, adding that he always wanted to be inducted into Jackson's hall of fame. He said Gene Hinkley had the talent and drive to become a professional golfer when he was younger, but never pursued it because he opted to settle down and start a family instead.
"Ever since I've been in Jackson, 23 years, Gene has been a mainstay on the golf scene and the golf history in Jackson," said Ron Beurmann, director of golf at the Country Club of Jackson. "I would call him one of the original patriarchs of Jackson golf for the most part because he's been around and a good player for so long.
"I think everybody around town looked up to Gene and what a class act he was."
Gene Hinkley married Louise Boardman in 1950 after meeting in Jackson. The couple had four children together: Gary, Pamela Jean, Kevin and Nanette.
In addition to golf, Kevin Hinkley said his father enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers, and was very interested in health and fitness, walking an average of three-to-five miles per day. Gene Hinkley was also very active in his church and loved spending time with his family.
He was so well-liked in the community that Kevin received multiple phone calls when people realized Gene wasn't at work at the dry cleaners on Monday.
"He enjoyed giving back, he loved giving back to the golf community and trying to help people with their game," Kevin Hinkley said.
"I honestly felt like he would outlive me. It was a surprise, and I think it was a surprise to a lot of us."
Along with Kevin, Gene Hinkley is survived by his daughter Nanette and five grandchildren.
Hinkley, a Jackson native, died due to heart failure in his home in Clark Lake at the age of 83. Hinkley was the owner of The Tool Crib, Inc., which he eventually sold, and Neighborhood Dry Cleaners, 3220 Wildwood Ave., for the last 15 years. He also worked as a representative for Alro Steel Corp.
Also an avid and passionate golfer, Hinkley was inducted into the Jackson Golf Hall of Fame in the summer of 2011. He was a member of the Arbor Hills Golf Club for more than 40 years, according to his son, Kevin Hinkley.
"My dad, he was always visible in the community ... and he's going to be missed. He's going to be missed." Kevin Hinkley said.
After graduating from Jackson High School, Gene Hinkley attended Western Michigan University for a few years on a baseball scholarship. Before he became known for his talent on the golf course, Gene was a standout shortstop, Kevin said.
Gene's brother, Jack, and nephew, Brian, currently run the Hinkley Bakery, 700 S. Blackstone St., which was started by Gene's father.
Hinkley's golf career accomplishments include winning the Jackson Seniors Match Play tournament in 1991, the Kalamazoo Country Club best ball tournament in 1966 and the Arbor Hills Country Club championship three times.
Kevin Hinkley said his father didn't begin to take golf seriously until after college, adding that he always wanted to be inducted into Jackson's hall of fame. He said Gene Hinkley had the talent and drive to become a professional golfer when he was younger, but never pursued it because he opted to settle down and start a family instead.
"Ever since I've been in Jackson, 23 years, Gene has been a mainstay on the golf scene and the golf history in Jackson," said Ron Beurmann, director of golf at the Country Club of Jackson. "I would call him one of the original patriarchs of Jackson golf for the most part because he's been around and a good player for so long.
"I think everybody around town looked up to Gene and what a class act he was."
Gene Hinkley married Louise Boardman in 1950 after meeting in Jackson. The couple had four children together: Gary, Pamela Jean, Kevin and Nanette.
In addition to golf, Kevin Hinkley said his father enjoyed watching the Detroit Tigers, and was very interested in health and fitness, walking an average of three-to-five miles per day. Gene Hinkley was also very active in his church and loved spending time with his family.
He was so well-liked in the community that Kevin received multiple phone calls when people realized Gene wasn't at work at the dry cleaners on Monday.
"He enjoyed giving back, he loved giving back to the golf community and trying to help people with their game," Kevin Hinkley said.
"I honestly felt like he would outlive me. It was a surprise, and I think it was a surprise to a lot of us."
Along with Kevin, Gene Hinkley is survived by his daughter Nanette and five grandchildren.