Charles (Ray) Hinson will celebrate his 100th birthday next week. This happens occasionally in Henry County, but most centenarians mark this event from an assisted living facility of some kind.

Hinson still lives in his own house by himself and is only now preparing to move in with daughter Marsha Griffith and her family. He was driving until just a couple of months ago and even doing his own yard work last summer.

“I have a photo of him last week under a four-wheeler changing the oil,” Griffith said with a laugh.

Born March 25, 1922 in Missouri, Hinson joined the U.S. Army in 1944 and served two years at the close of World War II. While stationed in North Carolina he met his future wife of 62 years.

A member of the 84th Infantry Division, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the Queen Mary to participate in the fighting in Europe. He and his unit were instrumental in defeating Adolf Hitler’s army and liberating POW camps, and he received a Bronze Star for actions in Europe.

He left the Army for a short time but eventually re-enlisted in the 82nd Airborne and served two tours during the Korean War in the early 1950s. He made 150 jumps with that unit and received his Airwings as a master jumper while also working as a helicopter mechanic/technician.

Hinson flew 50 helicopter missions in hostile territory in Vietnam, earning two Distinguished Air Medals. In one particularly memorable episode, his team flew in to repair a damaged helicopter behind enemy lines and fly it out.

After deciding to make the Army a career, he served until 1969 and retired from Fort Gillem in Forest Park and became a locksmith. He and his family lived in Jonesboro, and after his children were grown he and his wife moved to the outskirts of Stockbridge about 40 years ago.

Multiple events have been planned for Hinson’s milestone birthday. His children are taking him to one of his favorite places, Buckner’s in Butts County, for a special Friday night dinner. That will be followed by a Saturday party with 40-50 people expected, according to Griffith.

Because his house sits on 12 secluded acres and is a considerable driving distance, Griffith has convinced him to come live with her in Griffin. He actually was in an auto accident two years ago when someone rear-ended his truck. Because his airbags had deployed and his door would not open, he crawled out through a window before emergency responders arrived – quite a feat for someone of any age, let alone 98 years old. He was not taken to the hospital because of his age and the fact that the COVID pandemic had just begun.

“His doctor said recently he is in excellent health except for his body just being worn out,” said Griffith, noting that her father has arthritis but not much else is wrong with him. “He doesn’t use a walker or a wheelchair, but sometimes when he walks his knee will give way. We don’t want him driving anymore or living by himself, and I don’t think he wants to live by himself, either.”

Hinson is reaching a milestone few people live to see, but it doesn’t sound like he is slowing down too much anytime soon.