James "Jim" H. Hinchman

James H. Hinchman, age 89, of Omaha, NE, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 21, 2025. Jim was born on December 23, 1935 in Horton, KS to Ayers and Ruth (Sinclair) Hinchman. He spent his early childhood growing up and making friends at the Strehlow Apartments on North 16th Street. Later, the family moved to a wonderful spot located right across from the lagoon and Carter Lake. Jim graduated from North High School and served in the Marine Corps. after graduation.

On April 12, 1958, Jim married Sandra Jensen, and they raised 6 children in their “forever home” on Cass Street. During this time, Jim began working for Union Pacific Railroad at the shops as an electrician, and retired from U.P. in North Little Rock, AR. in 1997. Jim made a great group of friends at U.P. that were lifelong, and they did love their coffee and gossip.

Throughout the years, Jim was definitely a family man who was always looking for ways to help his kids and friends, though sometimes it was hard to see through his gruff exterior. Whether it was painting a house; rocking his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and of course, singing off-key to them; or playing kickball into his mid 80’s with the fam – he was there for them.

Though, Jim claimed that he was hard of hearing, all you had to do was whisper something that was not for his ears, and he could recite every word you just said. He definitely had selective hearing, something that he accused all his children of having.

Jim loved baseball and softball, and played on many teams throughout the years. He was a diehard Cubs fan, though his grandchildren tried to get him to see the light and root for a better team. Besides baseball, he was an avid fisherman and hunter over the years, loving his spot on the lake in Schuyler.

Family and friends will definitely miss his “rear-kissing” team during the Christmas games, his hard work ethic, and his use of words like icebox, pocketbook, etc. and having to define those for people under 40.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandy, of 67 years; his sister and brother-in-law, Katie and John Knickman; his daughters and sons-in-law, Julie and Jeff Adams, Jane and Lawrence Whelan, and Jennifer and Marshall Cooney; his 12 grandchildren: Kylie Adams, Drew and Ashley Adams, Darren Adams, Dennis Whelan and Kate Rahel, James and Hannah Whelan, Jackie and Jeremy Warren, Eric and Samantha Whelan, Sidney Whelan and Sean Needham, Sean Whelan, Jon Whelan, Whitney and Edward Johnson, and Kennedy Cooney; and his 12 great-grandchildren: Hayden, Avary, Jensen, Finn, Jack, Charlotte, Addy, Reagan, Noah, Millie, Emmy, and Alyx.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ayers and Ruth; his 3 sons, Jeff, Jay and John; and many dear friends.

And yes, Dad, through God’s grace, we are sure He will deem you big enough to keep!