Thomas A. Hinton, IV, was born November 15, 1928 to the late Thomas A. Hinton, III and Odessa Hinton in Winston-Salem, NC. He passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013 at Triad Care & Rehab Center of High Point, NC.

At the age of 14, Thomas joined the US Navy during World War II and served his country for three years, mostly in the European Theater. After leaving the Navy, Thomas returned to Winston-Salem to complete his high school education at Carver High School. As a teenager he became one of the first African-American Eagle Scouts in NC. He graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, NC in 1951. He later accepted a job as District Scout Executive of Cherokee Council in Burlington, NC, serving Alamance, Person, Caswell and Rockingham Counties. While working in Burlington, he met Daisy Lea and they were married on July 5, 1952.

After serving the Cherokee Council for four years, he accepted the position of Scout Executive for Old Hickory Council in Winston-Salem. Over the next 14 years, Thomas worked with many wonderful den mothers, scout masters and other volunteers. The scouting program grew by leaps and bounds producing many outstanding young men. He retired from scouting in 1969 to become a housing contractor. Thomas joined the NC National Guard in 1973. He served the Guard for 25 years and was called to active duty with the US Army during Desert Storm in 1990. Throughout his adult life, he was involved with the Patterson Avenue YMCA and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife, Daisy Hinton; sons, Thomas Hinton, V of W-S, NC and David (Natalie) Hinton of W-S, NC; three grandchildren, Danielle Hinton of W-S, NC, David Hinton, Jr. of Richmond, VA, and Michael Hinton of W-S, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends.

A funeral mass will be held at 11am Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church. The family will receive visitors from 7pm until 8:30pm Monday, January 14, 2013 at the Russell Funeral Home Chapel.