Don Hinkle, longtime Routt County rancher, passed away Feb. 23, 2009, at Yampa Valley Medical Center. He was 86 years old.

He was born on Aug. 10, 1922, to Scott and Hattie (Darling) Hinkle on their ranch near Phippsburg, Colo. He graduated from Yampa Union High School. He was a 4-H member and later a 4-H leader and 4-H award donor.

Don married Geraldine Long in Steamboat Springs, Colo., on Sept. 30, 1943. In 1945, after serving in the armed forces, Don and Geraldine returned to Routt County, where they leased Geraldine’s parents’ ranch in Foidl Canyon, and later purchased it and several other parcels of land. In 1979, the Hinkles moved to a ranch near Yampa. In addition to ranching, Don worked from 1962 to 1981 for Energy Fuels as an overburden driller.

Don served on the school board for the Foidl Canyon School, and later for the Soroco School District. He was a member of the Yellow Jacket Roping Club and enjoyed the small roping jackpots that the club held. Don and Gerry enjoyed riding horseback into the Lost Lakes. They also spent time camping in Browns Park throughout the years. Don enjoyed “trading” horses but always made sure his daughters and wife each had a good horse to ride.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine; daughters Lydia (Vaughn) Hockaday of Hayden, Colo., Marieta Kay Nelson of Yampa, and Becky (Dale) Appel of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; six grandchildren: Bobby George, Tony George (Wendy), Shawn (Leslie) Hockaday, Jay Dee (Kristen) Hockaday, Amy Appel, and Amber (Scott) Gregory; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Scott Hinkle of Modesto, Calif.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: Kenneth, Jimmie and Marieta; one grandson, Doug George; and one great-grandson, Jace George.

Services were held at Oak Creek Cemetery on Feb. 28.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in care of Yampa Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 776090, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 80477.

Don Hinkle, longtime Routt County rancher, passed away Feb. 23, 2009, at Yampa Valley Medical Center. He was 86 years old.

He was born on Aug. 10, 1922, to Scott and Hattie (Darling) Hinkle on their ranch near Phippsburg, Colo. He graduated from Yampa Union High School. He was a 4-H member and later a 4-H leader and 4-H award donor.

Don married Geraldine Long in Steamboat Springs, Colo., on Sept. 30, 1943. In 1945, after serving in the armed forces, Don and Geraldine returned to Routt County, where they leased Geraldine’s parents’ ranch in Foidl Canyon, and later purchased it and several other parcels of land. In 1979, the Hinkles moved to a ranch near Yampa. In addition to ranching, Don worked from 1962 to 1981 for Energy Fuels as an overburden driller.

Don served on the school board for the Foidl Canyon School, and later for the Soroco School District. He was a member of the Yellow Jacket Roping Club and enjoyed the small roping jackpots that the club held. Don and Gerry enjoyed riding horseback into the Lost Lakes. They also spent time camping in Browns Park throughout the years. Don enjoyed “trading” horses but always made sure his daughters and wife each had a good horse to ride.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine; daughters Lydia (Vaughn) Hockaday of Hayden, Colo., Marieta Kay Nelson of Yampa, and Becky (Dale) Appel of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; six grandchildren: Bobby George, Tony George (Wendy), Shawn (Leslie) Hockaday, Jay Dee (Kristen) Hockaday, Amy Appel, and Amber (Scott) Gregory; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Scott Hinkle of Modesto, Calif.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: Kenneth, Jimmie and Marieta; one grandson, Doug George; and one great-grandson, Jace George.

Services were held at Oak Creek Cemetery on Feb. 28.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in care of Yampa Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 776090, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 80477.

Don Hinkle, longtime Routt County rancher, passed away Feb. 23, 2009, at Yampa Valley Medical Center. He was 86 years old.

He was born on Aug. 10, 1922, to Scott and Hattie (Darling) Hinkle on their ranch near Phippsburg, Colo. He graduated from Yampa Union High School. He was a 4-H member and later a 4-H leader and 4-H award donor.

Don married Geraldine Long in Steamboat Springs, Colo., on Sept. 30, 1943. In 1945, after serving in the armed forces, Don and Geraldine returned to Routt County, where they leased Geraldine’s parents’ ranch in Foidl Canyon, and later purchased it and several other parcels of land. In 1979, the Hinkles moved to a ranch near Yampa. In addition to ranching, Don worked from 1962 to 1981 for Energy Fuels as an overburden driller.

Don served on the school board for the Foidl Canyon School, and later for the Soroco School District. He was a member of the Yellow Jacket Roping Club and enjoyed the small roping jackpots that the club held. Don and Gerry enjoyed riding horseback into the Lost Lakes. They also spent time camping in Browns Park throughout the years. Don enjoyed “trading” horses but always made sure his daughters and wife each had a good horse to ride.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Geraldine; daughters Lydia (Vaughn) Hockaday of Hayden, Colo., Marieta Kay Nelson of Yampa, and Becky (Dale) Appel of Steamboat Springs, Colo.; six grandchildren: Bobby George, Tony George (Wendy), Shawn (Leslie) Hockaday, Jay Dee (Kristen) Hockaday, Amy Appel, and Amber (Scott) Gregory; and 12 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Scott Hinkle of Modesto, Calif.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; three siblings: Kenneth, Jimmie and Marieta; one grandson, Doug George; and one great-grandson, Jace George.

Services were held at Oak Creek Cemetery on Feb. 28.

Memorial contributions may be sent to Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association in care of Yampa Valley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 776090, Steamboat Springs, Colo., 80477.