Jerry Hinton 1919-2025
Gerald Lloyd (Jerry) Hinton, 105, Topeka, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025.
Jerry was born June 12, 1919, in Wymore, Neb., to Grover Cleveland and Pearl Smith Hinton. Despite going to 11 different schools in 12 years because of the Depression, Jerry graduated from Oneida High School in 1940. Jerry worked at Beechcraft in Wichita until he was drafted into the Army at the age of 21.
After Pearl Harbor, he went to the west coast to guard the beaches and was eventually sent to Europe. In June 1944, Jerry was sent to Omaha Beach during the Battle of Normandy. He fought as a forward observer under both Generals Bradley and Patton. Over the course of the war, he earned a total of five battle stars.
After the war, Jerry went back to Beechcraft, where he met the love of his life, Leona Jean Grimm. They were married in Topeka on Feb. 1, 1947. They moved to a farm near Delia, where their two sons, Larry (1948) and Ron (1950), were born, then bought a farm near Holton. The couple lived there for 35 years. Jerry also worked for the Holton Post Office for seven years.
In 1980, Jerry and Jean sold the farm and moved to Topeka. Jerry was a member of University Methodist Church in Topeka where he sang in the choir. They spent the next 30 years enjoying their grandchildren and feeding their passion for travel, whether camping close to home or spending winters as snowbirds, mostly in Texas. In 2014, they moved into Brewster Place in Topeka, where they were beloved for their warmth and energy. Until the end, Jerry exercised every day to keep fit!
Jerry and Jean were married for 73 wonderful years before she died in November 2020. Jerry also was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Carson and Lester Hinton. He is survived by his sons Larry (Becky) and Ron (Barb); granddaughters Laura Rudolph (Mike) and Elizabeth Parent (Nick); four great-grandchildren, Wesley, Hannah, Leona and Camille; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at Brewster Place at a later date. Jerry and Jean will be laid to rest together at Holton Cemetery, with military honors for Jerry’s service. Condolences may be addressed to Larry Hinton and mailed to 3700 S.W. Wanamaker Rd., Topeka, KS 66610.
Please visit www.DoveTopeka.com for further information.
(PAID OBITUARY)
