Johnny Bert Hinkle, June 23, 1938 – September 6, 2022. Johnny, age 84, passed away
Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at his home in Huntsville. He was the son of James
William Hinkle and Lola Baker Hinkle of Decatur, Alabama. Labor Day marked his 64 th
Wedding Anniversary to his bride Carolyn Kitchens Hinkle who passed away in March
of 2019. Johnny attended Auburn University, 1956 – 1958 and became a Technical
Illustrator working for Brown Engineering in Andover, Mass; Chrysler and Sperry-Rand
in Huntsville; Dennis and Goodger Advertising; and retired from Tennessee Valley Press
of Decatur, AL. A very talented artist, Johnny left a legacy of artwork in his paintings
that he shared with so many people. He created water-color portraits and specialized in
paintings of landmark structures in Alabama including Covered Bridges, The Decatur
Railroad Depot, The Belle Mina Train Station, The Mooresville Post Office, The
Jefferson Davis Home, The Governor’s Mansion and The Alabama State Capitol
displayed on The State Highway Map of Alabama. Johnny loved Auburn and the Tigers
football program. In his heyday, if Auburn had a good ballgame, he would paint the
score of the game on the large picture window of his house for his neighbors’ enjoyment.
His printed edition of “Eagle Rock” is a special tribute to Auburn and their Golden Eagle
Mascot. Johnny was a quiet-spoken gentleman. He was deeply sentimental, wise and
loved a good joke. He was very thankful for his family, his friends and for the many
blessings that he counted in his life. He loved tuning in on Saturday evenings to
Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion” radio show. Johnny is survived by his
three children, James Thor (Sherri) Hinkle, Holly Lynn Hinkle, and Noel (Rusty)
Godwin; two grandchildren, Clay (Jacquelyn) Esterling and Logan Esterling; four great-
grandchildren, Lucas, Lily, and Quinn Esterling of Georgia and Caliana Esterling of
Puerto Rico. No services are planned at this time. A future memorial service will be
announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CASA (Care
Assurance System for the Aging) of Madison County, casamadisoncty.org, enabling the
aging and homebound to live at home safely, independently and with dignity. Johnny
really appreciated CASA’s services, calls and visits, and the family expresses our
gratitude to all who knew and loved our Dad.
