Jim Wayne Hinkle, 80, of Hagerstown, a local businessman, passed away o late Monday morning, February 16, 2026, at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, District of Columbia.
Born October 6, 1945, in Minor Hill, Tennessee, he was a son of the late David Turner and Eula Mae Hargrove Hinkle. He returned to Tennessee in 1968, after serving two years in the Army, stationed in Germany. He was most proud of his service in the Army and was very patriotic.
Additionally, Jimmie was a Christian, of the Baptist Church.
Jim soon moved to Huntsville, Alabama. There he started working for a new food chain, Pizza Hut. He also worked for the Huntsville Police Dept. Within a year, he was promoted and was running the Pizza Huts in 8 states in the south. By 1970, he purchased the rights to build Pizza Huts in Frederick, Washington and Allegany counties of Maryland. In 1985, he sold the stores he built here, 15 dine In and delivery units.
He also became a land developer and builder. There weren’t many jobs and businesses that he didn’t tackle and operate.
Being a restauranteur, Jim began to research the Hamburger double drive-thru concept. He traveled all over the country to see what other companies were doing and the created his own concept by opening Burger Park U.S.A. in Hagerstown; the first double drive-thru restaurant in the nation. He sold several franchises in other states.
After many successful years, he sold them and returned to Tennessee so his children could enjoy the farm he owned and a slower way of life. Many of his children had assisted him in his business.
In 2000, Jim once again returned to Hagerstown and the restaurant business. He continued to search for a different kind of food business. He soon started developing the idea of selling BBQ. Hence, Lt Col. Big Jims BBQ. In 2019, he won best BBQ award from the Herald Mail.
Affectionately known as Pappy or Pap by his family, he is survived by children Jimmy and Phillip Hinkle, Matthew Hinkle and wife Emily, Susan Haupt-Dietz, Amanda and Alicia Hinkle; his grandchildren Brandon Widdows, Ty Barr, Cheyenne Brunk, Crystyn, Ashjen, Kaylyn, Titus and Gideon Miller, Kyra and Ashlee Hinkle, and Dominic, Manuel and Jennifer Haupt; as well as a former spouse, Linda Scuffins, 6 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his son, Adam Hinkle in January, 2026; grandson, Trey Hinkle, brothers David, Ronald and Donald Hinkle; and by a former spouse, Pamela Hinkle.
The family will receive friends at a visitation to celebrate the life of both Jim and son Adam, on Thursday, February 26, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A service of committal with honors for Jim will be held Friday, February 27, 10:00 AM, at Rocky Gap Maryland Veterans Cemetery, 14205 Pleasant Valley Road NE, Flintstone.
Those wishing may offer condolences to the family at www.akcoffmanfh.com .
