James Harold Hines

With great sorrow, we announce the passing of James H. Hines, who died on August 28th, 2026, aged 91 years old, at home in the presence of his loving wife of 71 years, Mary E. Hines and his daughter, Victoria E. Hines. His son William T. Hines came to his home to say goodbye. It was of great comfort to Jim and Mary that his eldest son, James H. Hines Jr., saw him not long ago.

Jim was a devoted husband and father. Mary and Jim had been married for 71 years. He is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons, having lost his son Carl E. Hines to cancer in 2006. He has four granddaughters and great-grandchildren whom he cherished. Jim was a loyal, honest and caring man upon whom everybody could depend to do the right thing. Whether extended family, neighbors or strangers, he helped those in need without expecting anything in return.

Jim was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico and later attended the University of New Mexico where he met his wife Mary E. Hill. He worked part-time, continued his studies, got married and started a family. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), working for The Aerial Cable Facility (ACF) is a highly instrumented, top-secret test arena operated by Sandia National Laboratories. He earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical En gineering at UNM and later went on to work for the Department of Energy (DOE) at Kirtland Air Force base where he won awards for his contributions in engineering and quality management.

He loved nature, believing in conservation of wilderness areas. He taught his children how to hunt and fish, including fly fishing, passing on his reverence and respect for wildlife with a deep understanding of the cycle of life with the knowledge that preservation of healthy herds of elk, deer and other wild creatures were dependent upon maintaining healthy forests, open graz ing land and clean rivers and streams. Most of all, he took joy in the beauty of the natural world.

Jim and Mary enjoyed taking their kids on camping trips in New Mexico as well as National Parks throughout the United States. He took great interest in art and music, and took a keen interest in history and culture, visiting great cities in the US, France and the United Kingdom.

Jim will be remembered by those who knew him as modest, quiet and confident, kind to everyone he met. He was a fine artist, and he left his mark with wood carvings; creative paintings and adornments of animals and birds to make his gardens beautiful; as well as photographs of sunsets as well as the places and people he loved throughout his life. He made the places he touched come alive: planting roses, apple trees, flowers, so leaving the world a better place. Jim will be so very missed by those who loved him. His family could always depend upon him. He was a man of his word who could be trusted by all.

Jim will be cremated and his ashes spread in the places he loved so very much; especially Eureka Ranch, estab lished by his father and mother, Halbert Hines and Lois Hines, which he improved and maintained with generos ity, a sense of beauty and a great heart; as well as in the mountains and streams of northern New Mexico, where he loved to spend time in observation and reflection. A private memorial service will be held in James H. Hines' honor by the immediate family.
May he rest in peace knowing that he was deeply loved and may God be with him.