Lawrence Asahel Hinshaw

Larry Hinshaw passed away on November 13, 2016 from courageous battle with cancer. A third generation Arizonan, Larry was born in Phoenix on December 16, 1931. He was the second of four children of Asahel Delma Hinshaw and Maude Sanders Hinshaw. Larry’s childhood summers were spent with his family camping on the Mogollon rim near Payson, Arizona, where he developed a love of nature, hiking, and fishing that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. During his time at North Phoenix High school, Larry participated in football and drama, landing the lead role in the all-school play, “Lilliom”. It was during these formative years that he began to feel the pull to ministry as he participated in various activities of Central United Methodist church, where he later served as assistant minister, and later still as head pastor. It was also during this time that he met Kathy, who would be his soul mate, wife, and partner in ministry for the next 52+ years. After high school, Larry graduated from Phoenix College, an Arizona State College (now ASU), with a bachelor’s degree on Social Welfare. Next, he attended Boston University School of Theology where he earned a Master of Divinity degree and a Master’s degree in Social Ethics and a Doctor of Ministry from the Claremont School of Theology. In his calling to Methodist ministry, Larry led churches in Norwell, Mass., Honolulu, HI, Tucson, AZ, and Phoenix, AZ. He served as Santa Barbara District Superintendent and Director of S. California Pacific Conference Programs Council, driving over 40,000 miles annually, focusing on growing church congregations throughout S. California, and into Nevada and Arizona. He also established churches in Africa, and was regarded as the “father” of the Arizona Walk to Emmaus, a powerful spiritual ministry directly responsible for leading many individuals into lifetimes of ministry of their own. Throughout his ministry, Larry was known for his passionate commitment to social justice, from chairing the Conference Board of social concerns to his outspoken criticism of the war in Viet Nam. He was actively involved in efforts to achieve a society free from racism. In his ministry, and throughout his life, he was passionate about traveling and meeting new people. He and first wife Kathy traveled throughout the United States and the world, visiting and making friends in China, Africa, and beyond. After Kathy’s death, Larry re-connected with Doreen Hart, a long-time family friend. Love blossomed, they married, and shared eleven wonderful years together. They also traveled the world together, and both recognized their new love late in life as a “special gift from God”. Among his many writings, Larry noted that his Christian faith had grown and evolved over the years. While he never lost his fervor for social justice, in later years he found himself immersed in the more personal aspects of the grace of God, and how it plays out in all our lives. Larry will be remembered by friends and loved ones for his zest for living, his infectious laugh, his concern for others, his sparkling intellect, and his kind and sharing heart. He will be missed dearly! He wanted everyone to know how much he appreciated each and every one of you. He says, “Thank you and I love you!” Larry is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Kathleen, and is survived by his wife of 11 years, Doreen, his daughters Laurie (Carlton) Stuebing, Deborah (Jim) Ponczko and Carol (Mark) Jones, and stepsons, Gary (Sonya) Hart, Jim (Cyndi) Hart and Jay (Barbara) Hart and by grandchildren Lauren, Michael, Eric, Kamala, Ashley, Chelsea, Joshua, Lianna, Wesley, Jenna, Preston and Riley. Siblings Jean, John and Ray. A memorial service in his honor will be held on November 20 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, 2391 St Marks Way, Sacramento, CA. A memorial service will also be held on November 30 at 3:00 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 1875 North Central Avenue in Phoenix, AZ. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Mark’s UMC in Sacramento, CA, Central UMC in Phoenix, AZ, or Payson UMC in Payson, AZ.

Lawrence Asahel Hinshaw

December 16, 1931 - November 13, 2016