Jerry “Tony” Osborne Hinnant

Mr. Jerry O. (Tony) Hinnant, son of the late Osborne Blaney and Mae Robinson Hinnant, passed away in Wilmington, NC on May 22nd 2017. Tony Hinnant was born at James Walker Memorial Hospital in Wilmington on February 14th 1940. He attended New Hanover High School, where he was a drummer in the Wildcat Marching Band. He left town in 1958 as the original drummer of the Charlie Daniels Band. While the band was working in Washington, D.C. he met and married his beloved wife, Janice Ruffing Hinnant of Churubusco, Indiana. Mrs. Hinnant was serving in the United States Navy when she met the talented young musician from Wilmington. The two were married for 56 years and had two sons, Robert Anthony and Patrick Edward. The family lived and traveled around much of the Eastern US until permanently moving to Wilmington in 1972 after Tony retired from music. Mr. Hinnant went to work for the City of Wilmington but remained active in the Wilmington music scene for many years, often performing with Duke Ladd and other popular area musicians.

Mr. Hinnant is survived by his wife Janice, son Robert and his wife Susan, son Patrick, sister Jean McDougald and her family – Roy, Donald, Matthew, Jessica and Camille, niece Lisa Meadows and her family – Michael, Hayley and Jackson. Tony and Jan have three grandchildren – Alexander Hinnant of Aarhus, Denmark, Lindsey Downing of Portland, Ct, Evan Gustafson, currently serving in the United States Air Force, as well as a great grandson, Mason Brian Downing, also of Portland, Ct.

A celebration of Tony’s life will be held this Saturday June 3rd at 11:00 AM at Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Mr. Holland Opus Foundation (Mr. Holland Opus Foundation) which donates musical instruments and vital support services to under-funded music programs nationwide.

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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street Wilmington NC 28403 910.791.9099.