Pastor Timothy Paul Hinton, Sr.

Pastor Timothy Paul Hinton, Sr died on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona.  He was 65 years old.  Pastor Hinton was born on a Saturday, September 29, 1951, in Whiteriver, Navajo County, Arizona to his parents, the late Zonie (Lupe) and Alexander Hinton, Sr.Timothy was a graduated member of Phoenix Indian High School's Class of 1970.  Immediately following his graduation, he heard his patriotic call and enlisted in the United States Navy.  He served faithfully for 3 years and received his honorable discharge in 1973.  After his military discharge, Timothy enrolled at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology in Socorro.  While there, he received his welding certification as well as a high military security clearance.  That clearance allowed him to work at White Sands Missile Range where he helped conduct top-secret guided missile tests.  Although, he thoroughly enjoyed his work at White Sands, Timothy hearkened to an even higher calling.  He had an incredible love of God and sought diligently to share His word.  38 years ago, he was responsible for starting the Youth Rally for the White Mountain Apache Tribe.  During that same time, Timothy became the senior pastor at Seven Mile Miracle Church.  On September 11, 1995, Pastor Hinton married Linda M. Begay in Ojo Amarillo, New Mexico.  A few years later, on March 13, 1998, Timothy received his Doctorate of Theology from Harvest Bible College in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  Throughout his life, he traveled overseas to minister in foreign lands including:  the Holy Land, many countries in Europe and even the orient in Asia.  Pastor Hinton lived his life in the service of others and found a great deal of joy following the Lord's admonition to "Love one another."  Countless others have been blessed by the kind goodness of this man.Pastor Hinton was proud of his Apache heritage.  He loved the land that he called "home" and worked tirelessly to preserve the beauty there and help the members of his tribe, in whichever capacity he could.  He faithfully served a term as Vice-Chairman of the White Mountain Apache Tribe (WMAT).  With the unmeasured love that he felt for his people of the WMAT, Pastor Hinton regularly looked for ways to help feed the homeless throughout the year.  He especially looked forward to Thanksgiving Day when he was able to share the bounty of food that he, and many others, had collected to feed those in desperate need.  During the Christmas season, he kept busy helping organize toy drives every year.  Because of his selfless acts of charity, thousands of kids woke up, with smiles on their faces, on Christmas morning to see the gifts that he helped Santa bring.  Pastor Hinton was a gifted musician and loved to play the blues.  He was an accomplished gospel music recording artist and recored several studio albums and CDs over the years.  Too, Pastor Hinton was a skilled mechanic and was considered to be an excellent cook.  He loved to eat and share stories with his family around the kitchen table.  Not only was Pastor Hinton a "fisher of men", he also loved to cast his fishing line in many area lakes, although his favorite fishing hole was Hawley Lake.  He loved to take his wife there and spend time on the lake reeling in fish after fish after fish.    Pastor Hinton is survived by:  his wife, Linda Hinton of Whiteriver, Arizona; 7 children:  Christella Grace Hinton of Socorro, New Mexico, Timothy Hinton, Jr of Whiteriver, Arizona, Caleb Job Hinton of Whiteriver, Arizona, Alexus Zonie Hinton of Whiteriver, Christopher Begaye of Whiteriver, Arizona, Christal L. (Clyde) Tsosie of Whiteriver, Arizona, Mikael Begay of Whiteriver, Arizona; 4 brothers:  Samson (Cora) Hinton, Sr., Daniel (Bernie) Hinton, Sr.,Merle (Carolene) Hinton, Alex (Kathy) Hinton, Jr.; 3 sisters:  Virginia (Johnny) Curtis, Norma (Travis) Susan, Yolanda Gonzalez and his 10 grandchildren:  Akeem Vicente, Joshua Vicente, Hazaiah Vicente, Ahlianna Vicente, Aiden Vicente, Jeriah W. Tsosie, Isaac J. Tsosie, Maelyn Hinton, Grace N. Hinton, and Cree Grant McKay Dazen.  Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers:  Dallas Hinton, Sr and Michael Hinton.  Pastor Hinton will be brought back home for a two-day wake beginning 10:00 A.M., Thursday, June 15, 2017, at the Hinton Family home, 203 N. Chief Avenue, #34 in Whiteriver, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 1:00 P.M., Saturday, June 17, 2017, at the Chief Alchesay Activity Center in Whiteriver.  The concluding service and interment, with military honors, will immediately follow at the Morning Dove Cemetery in Cedar Creek, Arizona.  The Hinton family is thankful for the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up in their behalf.  They find a great deal of comfort knowing that this good man rests peacefully in the bosom of his Lord.