In memoriam: James H. Hynes Jr., ’77, long-time Clerc Center employee

James H. Hynes Jr., ’77, a long-time Clerc Center employee, passed away on July 6. A resident of The Villages, Florida, he was 73 years old.

Jim was a residential advisor and after-school program coordinator at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf. His total service spanned 37 years.

James Horace Hynes Jr. was born on October 3, 1949 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to Elizabeth Gebelin Hynes and James Horace “Jimmy” Hynes, Sr. He attended St. Joseph School for the Deaf in St. Louis, Missouri; New Orleans Public Oral School, and Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge, from which he graduated as salutatorian. He studied sociology and social work at Gallaudet, then earned a master’s degree in counseling and student development at American University. 

Jim was an avid and accomplished golfer. He served the National Deaf Golf Association (NDGA) as its executive director and founded the United States Deaf Golf Association (USDGA) so that U.S. Deaf golfers would be able to compete in the World Deaf Golf Championships for the first time in 1995. While leading USDGA, he went on to become Vice President and Board Member for the World Deaf Golf Federation (WDGF) and chaired a second WDGC tournament in Butler, Pennsylvania in 1998. He served as chef de mission in 1996, 2000, and 2006, and his team and players brought home several championship trophies. He was well-known and loved by players and volunteers at host sites in the United States and around the world.   

Jim is survived by his companion, Randi J. Pakula, ’94; a daughter, Elizabeth Hynes-Butler (Garrett), and a granddaughter, all of Baton Rouge; a son, Joel (Jeb) Hynes of Denver, Colorado; two sisters, Mary Anne Hynes Frenzel (Michael) and Juliette Hynes (Vernon Smith); and a brother, Joseph Hynes (Elaine), all of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his wife of 20 years, Maureen O’Grady Hynes, ’81, and a sister, Kenny Hynes, ’67. 

The family held a private graveside service on August 26 at Roselawn Memorial Park in Baton Rouge. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 22 from 8:30 to 11 a.m. in Chapel Hall.

Donations in Jim’s memory may be made online to the United States Deaf Golf Association or mailed to USDGA, 1794 Black Stone Place, The Villages, FL 32163-2582.

Read the news obituary in the Villages-News.