Dr. Charles "Wendell" Hinkley

Dr. Charles “Wendell” Hinkley, 92, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2017 in Scottsdale after a brief illness. He was born in Cherryvale, Kan. on February 20, 1925, to Charles Summner Hinkley and Nina Pearl Mix Hinkley. He grew up in Chanute, Kan. on a 10-acre farm and grew a lot of the produce sold in his parents’ grocery store.

Upon graduation from Savonburg High School, he joined the Army Air Corp during World War II. He proudly served in the Pacific and in Honolulu until 1946.

He spent his 50-year career as an optometrist in Monte Vista, Colo. where he did a lot of pro bono eye exams for underprivileged children.

He was married to Dorothy Swanson in 1947 until her death in 2002. Later, he was remarried to Orene Jenkins and they commuted between Monte Vista, Cedaredge, Colo. and Fountain Hills until 2016 when they moved permanently to Fountain Hills.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing at his cabin in South Fork, Colo. with his children and grandchildren and, of course, watching the Denver Broncos. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

He was known for his sense of humor, his patient nature and his kindness to his family and friends as well as his patients. He was an avid reader.

He was a member of the Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church and was both a Deacon and an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Monte Vista, Colo. where he was a member for 50 years. During the 66 years as a member of the VFW Post 0053 he was instrumental in building the Colorado State Veterans Center at Home Lake, Colo.

The community benefitted from his eight years as a member of the Monte Vista School Board. For 35 years, he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and was honored on TV for organizing The Annual Crane Festival south of Monte Vista which, over the years, has become a huge tourist attraction. He was also a member of the Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife, Orene Hinkley; his two sons, Jeffrey (Jenna) Hinkley, Austin, Colo. and Dr. David (Annavee) Hinkley of Monte Vista, Colo. He is also survived by stepson, John (Kathy) Jenkins, Wichita, Kan. and stepdaughter Janet Jenkins of Fountain Hills; grandchildren, Matthew Hinkley and Shannon Hinkley, Monte Vista, Colo., Sarah (Nyck) Brown, Baton Rouge, La., Rachael Hinkley, Denver, Colo.; step grandchildren, Courtney Jenkins, Gymon, Okla., Katie (Tom) Carella and Jacob Jenkins, Wichita, Kan. and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his brother, Les Hinkley, his beloved granddaughter, Faith Hinkley and his parents.

Contributions may be made to Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church. Memorial services will be held at a later date.