Gary Don Hines

Gary Don Hines went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at the age of 70 in Williamsburg, Virginia. He left this earth surrounded by family and friends singing and praising God as we shared our love with this precious “gentle giant”.

Gary was born to Ellwood and Opal Hines on March 30, 1951 in Texas City, Texas. After moving to Houston, TX as a young boy, he graduated from J. Frank Dobie High School in 1970, where he played on the Dobie Longhorns basketball team with his future brother-in-law, Tucker Smith. Gary earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education in 1977 from the University of North Texas, where he met his lifelong friend, Norman Lance. He began teaching at Thompson Intermediate School, a feeder school to his alma mater, Dobie HS. Gary loved coaching basketball and football and took his basketball team to district playoffs his first year of coaching.

Gary married Susan Smith on June 10, 1978, and two years later, Gary and Susan were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Erin. In order for Susan to be a stay-at-home mom, Gary made a career change and went to work for AMOCO Refinery in Texas City, TX. He retired from AMOCO Refinery in Yorktown, Virginia in 2008 after 29 years. Gary’s favorite pastimes included playing banjo and guitar, cooking, traveling, Civil War history, woodworking, painting, and watching the Alabama Crimson Tide. His most memorable trip was to Germany and Austria to celebrate Erin’s graduation from the University of Alabama.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Opal and Ellwood Hines. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Susan, and daughter, Erin. He is also survived by his sister, Glynda Pawlik and husband, Lou; brother, Greg Hines; niece, Kim Bland, and great-niece, Jenna, as well as many cousins and other family members.

A celebration of life will be held at First Baptist Church of Flynn, Texas, on Monday, January 31, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Clear Creek Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gary’s honor to:

Compassion International: If you would like to give directly to our Compassion child or her family, her name is Nalataya Resty, sponsor #UG060900401. You may call 1-800-336-7676 and let them know your gift is in honor of Gary Hines.

Dignity for the Aged: www.dignityfortheaged.org

Tunnels to Towers: www.T2T.org

Local arrangements are under the direction of Madisonville Funeral Home, Madisonville, Texas.