GERALD D. "CALIFORNIA" HINER SR.
My dear father is safe in the arms of Jesus now. He left us about 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018. He was known to many of his friends simply as "California."
Dad was born on Sept. 8, 1933, along the Oklahoma panhandle, near Harper and Beaver counties. He was the sixth child of Charles Everett and Alice Katherine, both of LaVerne, Oklahoma. As a toddler, the entire family resettled in Ontario, California (San Bernadino County). He was one of eight children, some of which have made this journey before him. They are Louise, Charles Jr. "Sonny," and Glenn. The four still with us now are Nellie, Elsie, Polly and Leroy "Leary." They were very close and loved each other very much, even though the vast distance between them made it difficult to see each other.
He lost his father in 1938, when he was nearly five years old. His mother struggled to keep the family together. By the grace of God with help from friends, family and even a few strangers, they managed to survive some very difficult circumstances. His growing up years were pretty normal for the most part. He went to school and worked some different jobs. He said he really enjoyed one job in particular. His sister and he worked at a Mexican restaurant call "The Cactus Patch." He loved Ray Sanchez, the owner of the business. He got drafted into the Army during the summer of 1953 at the age of 19. He spent nearly two years in Germany, where he was trained in heavy infantry. He received three medals and was honorably discharged in the spring of 1955.
While serving in the Army, he met my mother's oldest brother, James Robert Geddings. James was in charge of the munitions (he handed out the guns). Jim and my Dad struck up a friendship in short time. My dad received little or no mail from home so, as a joke or a prank maybe, Jim got his sisters to write letters to some of the soldiers. I don't know how many soldiers my mother wrote to but my father happened to be one of them. They were married on Dec. 11, 1955, and never spent much time apart since that day. I am just one of six who were fortunate enough to be able to call this wonderful woman and this amazing man "mom" and "dad." We will never be able to repay all of the sacrifices made by them on our behalf. They are truly one of a kind.
We want to thank some very special people who came and made my father's final months here pleasant and a lot of fun too: Larry and Nancy Florence, Eric McCabe, Pastor Marvis, Carolyn, Pam, Linda, Daphne and several doctors through the years. Special thanks to Dr. MacDonald DuBose.
My dad made so many friends over the years. I'm sorry I don't know all of your names, but I want you to know he loved you and he valued your friendship. To all of his grandkids and great-grands, my dad loves each and every one of you. I know he has a big smile on his face because he's so proud of you. To all of you who have said prayers, made a phone call or stopped by to visit, thank you so much for the kindness.
Please continue to pray for us as we say goodbye. There is no pain or suffering at his eternal home, only joy, peace and happiness. I look forward to hearing his voice again, to hear him laugh and look into those eyes.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Mattie G. Hiner; six children, Debbie (David), Perry, Polly (Jim), Brenda, Buddy and Darren; seven grandchildren, April (Ben), Dawn, Amy (Gene), Tabitha (Joe), Brooke (Thomas), Brock and Race; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Sammy Geddings officiating. Burial will be at the Florence National Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at 1830 Nettles Road.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.