James L. Hinds USAF (Ret.)

James L. Hinds

7/16/43 – 6/22/25

James Leslie Hinds (Jim) was born to Leslie and Mary Ann Hinds in Hamilton, Ohio on July 16, 1943. He was the eldest of three children. Jim earned a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Miami in Oxford, Ohio. While at the university, he met Dianne Nauert, a nurse. After graduation and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force, they were married on October 8, 1966. They were blessed with three children: two daughters, Leslie and Julie, and a son, Philip.

During Jim’s twenty-one-year career, he served as a computer software engineer earning recognition for his contribution to the air weapons control systems of the United States Air Force. With two deployments overseas and several transfers including Ontario, Canada, his family settled in Panama City, Florida, where he retired with the rank of Major in 1987. Following retirement, Jim and Dianne and their son, Philip, moved to Niceville where he worked for several years for Sverdrup Technology and continued development of air weapons systems at Eglin Air Force Base.

For the last thirty-eight years in Niceville, Florida, Jim and Dianne have made many wonderful and lasting friendships. They joined Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church where Jim became a Fourth Degree Knight with the Knights of Columbus. He contributed his impressive woodworking skills to help repair and update the church baseboards and cornices, embellished the woodwork around the tabernacle and built the Nativity creche. He was always ready to volunteer and help share his time and talent with his church, his family, and his community. With his children living from Mobile, Alabama to Tallahassee, Florida, Jim was able to enjoy many family holidays and events and be close enough to help and support them and give out those big bear hugs too. Those who knew Jim understood his quiet and simple nature.  He loved his home and his yard, tinkering on classic cars, and woodworking in his garage.  He created priceless toys, furniture and beautiful bowls. He still attended his monthly woodturners club, enjoyed the latest electronics and kept up to date at the Niceville Senior Center Apple computer class each week.

Jim is survived by his lovely and devoted wife, Dianne, his brother, Robert Hinds and his sister, Judith Reckman. He is also survived by his daughter Leslie Larkin; her husband Keith; their children Catherine (Ross) Evans, Kelsey (Patrick) Paulson, Benjamin Yeakel, and Jennifer. Also, by his daughter Julie Butler; her husband Shane; their children Christopher (Carson) Butler, Michael Butler, Nicholas (Elivet) Giovanini, and Bradley Giovanini. And by his son, Philip; his wife Susan; their children Logan (McKenna), Spencer (Nikki) and Jacob.  Jim is survived by his great-grandchildren, his pride and joy, Wyatt, Marshall, Simon-Paul, and Magnolia and two more great-granddaughters on the way.

Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, July 2, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Niceville, Florida. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:00 a.m. Burial will take place immediately afterwards at Heritage Gardens Cemetery, Niceville, Florida. All are welcome to attend and celebrate the life of our beloved Jim.

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