Donald "Don" John Hinckley

Donald John Hinckley, 62, of Midland, Georgia passed away Monday, July 20, 2026 at St. Francis Hospital following an extended illness.

Donald, known to all as “Don”, was born February 6, 1964 in Binghamton, New York. He was the third child and only son of Donald Allen Hinckley and Norma Boezi Hinckley, and he was joyfully welcomed by his older sisters, Debi and Denise. Don was always proud of his Italian heritage, and so it was fitting that his first job in high school was at Cortese, his hometown Italian restaurant. He balanced his job with playing basketball for Seton Catholic, graduating high school in 1982. He then graduated from the State University of New York in Brockport in 1986 with a degree in criminal justice. Soon after, he relocated to Columbus, Georgia, where he began his career and family.

Don began work in the print room at TSYS in 1988 and quickly moved up the ranks in mainframe operations, specializing in job scheduling, monitoring, issue relocation, and alerting. He ultimately attained the position of associate director before retiring in 2020 with 32 years of service. While he found professional success and fulfillment at TSYS, he most importantly formed a group of loyal, lifelong friends with his team members.

Don was an avid fan of all sports, from Auburn football to golf to New York Knicks basketball, but nothing could rival his love for the New York Mets. Don spent many years playing on the TSYS softball team, and he was actively involved in youth sports, serving as a referee for high school basketball and a coach for rec league baseball. He also volunteered as an off-ice official for the Columbus Cottonmouths and Columbus Riverdragons, and he enjoyed golfing in his spare time.

Don also enjoyed classic cars, and in retirement he found enjoyment in restoring his classic Camaro and attending car shows, where he quickly built a new group of friends. Indeed, Don never met a stranger and welcomed each person he encountered in life as an opportunity to form a new friendship. He was always ready for a cookout, a pool party, a road trip to visit friends and family–any opportunity to share time, food, and fellowship with the important people in his life.

His greatest joy in life was his family–and the friends who became family. He was immensely proud of his children for even the tiniest accomplishment, and delighted to become “Poppi” to his first grandchild last year. He was an equally proud supporter and advocate for his nieces and nephews, his friends, and their children, frequently found in the stands or on the sidelines of their sporting events and celebrating their achievements as though they were his own children. An eternal optimist, he was rarely without a smile and a “dad joke”, and embraced life with an infectious “carpe diem” enthusiasm.

Don was blessed with a large family, forged by blood, adoption, and friendship, whom he leaves behind to treasure the memories of time shared with him and a life well-lived. He is survived by his children, Lyndsey Oliver (Lee Ritchie), Jonathan Hinckley, and Madelyn Hinckley; granddaughter, Morgan Ritchie; sisters, Debra Miller (Bill) and Denise Ray (Rocky); uncles, Robert Boezi (Anita) and William Van Wormer; nieces and nephews Chrystie, Kimberly (Erik), Adrianne (Chris), Robert (Julie), Jill, Pete (Kaylee), Emily (Richard), Johnathan, and Rylie; and the mother of his youngest child, Judi Ramsey Hinckley. He is also survived by numerous great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins, as well as a host of beloved friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his nephew, David.

A memorial service will be held at McMullen Funeral Home on July 31, 2026 at 11 AM with Father Kevin Braski of St. Anne Catholic Church presiding. A separate celebration of life will be held Sunday, August 16 at 7PM  at the Ridge Grill at Maple Ridge Golf Course. In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in Don’s name and memory to benefit the Autism Hope Center of Columbus, GA or Easterseals West Georgia.