John Vernon Hinely

Obituary for J. Vernon Hinely

J. Vernon Hinely passed from this life to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 16. He was born in Miami, Fl. on March 23, 1924 to Robert Iley Hinely and Annie Pearl Pringle Hinely. He had 4 older sisters and 1 older brother: Mertie Clyde Carter, Louise Hamilton, Hilda Heard, Montine Franklin and William Herbert Hinely. Vernon's younger brother, Robert, died at 12 years old of scarlet fever. When Vernon's father became ill, he left school in the 9th grade to keep the laundry business going, never to return to school. He soon went to work with his brother in law, Paul Carter, in the Oxygen Business. He also worked in the Oxygen Therapy Department at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami as a technician. This was one of the first Inhalation Therapy Departments in the country and Vernon was awarded a lifetime membership in the Inhalation Therapy Association, which later became the American Association for Respiratory Therapy.

He joined the Army during World War II, was assigned to the Medical Corps and the Technicians School at O'Reilly General Hospital, Springfield, Mo, in April, 1943. While stationed in Springfield he met Bonnie Mae Lindsey at church, whom he later married. In October of 1943 he joined the 61st Portable Surgical Hospital in New Orleans, La. His unit served in New Guinea and the Philippines, landed on Luzon on D Day and also served in the occupational forces in Japan. He was awarded the Bronze Star and two oak leaf clusters for his service.

Upon his discharge in 1946 he returned home to Miami and later that year on August 27, 1946 married Bonnie Mae Lindsey in Springfield, Mo. They moved to Orlando, Fl in 1947 where he and his brother, Herbert, formed Orlando Oxygen Service, which later became Florida Oxygen Service, then was purchased by American Cryogenics, which became Air Liquide. In 1962 he formed Florida Carbonic, which later became Carbonic Industries, a large, independent manufacturer of liquid carbon dioxide and dry ice. Carbonic Industries Corp. purchased TOMCO2 Equipment Company in 1970 and began manufacturing CO2 storage tanks. He served as President and Chairman of the Board of Carbonic Industries until it was sold to Airgas in 1997. TOMCO2 was spun off as an independent company in 1993 and he was Chairman of the Board until his death.

Vernon was active in Civic Affairs: President of Orlando Manufacturing association in 1960, charter member of the downtown Kiwanis Breakfast Club. He was a member of the University Club and a charter member of the Citrus Club. He loved sports especially college football and joined the Tangerine Sports Association with Jeff Clark in 1980. He served as President in 1982-83 and moved the television broadcasting from Mizlou Sports to NBC sports, and later ABC sports. As chairman he founded Florida Super Seniors, which then led to the Inaugural Florida Georgia High School All Star Game in Orlando on June 22, 1985. In 1990 Vernon was inducted into the Florida Citrus Sports Hall of Fame.

Vernon became active in the Georgia Salzburger Society in Savannah, Ga., which was formed to remember the German immigrants that left their native Salzburg to escape religious persecution and began arriving in Savannah, GA on March 12, 1734. Vernon's ancestors arrived in Savannah on October 29, 1750 aboard the "Charming Martha." In search of his family's history he made many trips to Germany and Austria and made the first contacts with the German Salzburger Society.

Vernon has always been interested in helping young people. He gave much of his time and energy to help Florida College, a small private Christian college on the banks of the Hillsborough River in Temple Terrace, FL. All three of his children graduated from Florida College and all 8 of his grandchildren attended Florida College. Vernon served on the Board of Directors 1981-2003. Eventually the new women's dormitory that opened in 1998 was named Hinely Hall, in honor of Herbert & Lil Hinely and Vernon & Bonnie Hinely.

Vernon was a life long active member of the Lord's church. He became a Christian at 13 years old. He was a charter member of the Holden Heights Church of Christ in 1952, which later became the South Bumby Church of Christ in 1985. He was appointed a deacon in 1952 and an elder in 1980 and served the Lord faithfully until his death.

Vernon is survived by his wife of 65 years, Bonnie. Three children: John Wayne Hinely, Darlene (Hinely) Johnson, and Herbert Vernon Hinely; eight grandchildren: John Vernon Hinely, II, Beau Robert Hinely, Jennifer Renee (Johnson) Brueckner, Daniel Robert Johnson, Jr., Matthew Vernon Hinely, Mark Herbert Hinely, Laura Elizabeth Hinely and Emily Jean Hinely; and fourteen great grandchildren: John Tucker Hinely, Jacob Thomas Hinely, James Tristan Hinely, Mary Raines Hinely, Brooks Robert Hinely, Ethan Jordan Brueckner, Ella Christina Brueckner, Presley Ann Johnson, Lydia Martha Hinely, Noah Vernon Hinely, Micah Matthew Hinely, Luke Ellis Hinely, Loren Grace Hinely and Madeline Faith Hinely.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Dasher Church of Christ. Burial will follow in the Dasher Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 2 – 3 p.m. prior to the service. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanecares.com. Carson McLane Funeral Home



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602