Hal Hynds was a long time personal friend and an active member who served several terms as Secretary of Fresno Stonewall Democrats.
Hal was born in Bakersfield, CA, September 6th, 1957, and died in Fresno, CA, on July 16th, 2017. His sister Berma Absher has several children and grandchildren still living in Kern County and also in Florida. His sister Doris Rogers has one daughter still living in Bakersfield. Hal enjoyed the role of uncle, particularly after both his own sisters passed away.
Hal attended public schools, proudly graduated from CSU Bakersfield, working from a young age. He enjoyed listening and playing music, skiing, visiting Los Angeles. He learned and enjoyed auto repairs, carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and tile cutting and laying. He worked as a Social Worker for Kern County, liking the challenges of the tasks of counseling, providing evidence in court, and assisting the Sheriff’s Office to move children to foster care when parents were taken into custody. While responding to such a sheriff’s call, he was almost killed in an auto accident in 1989. Hal’s courage and strength enabled him to learn to walk again with over two years of surgeries and rehabilitation. He retired to Fresno.
September 20th, 1996 was our anniversary, the date we first met, as marriage was not available then. For over 20 years, we shared our world of love, work, social and political groups, dining out. We both found peacefulness in life. Hal had the time, tools, and talent to improve our home by painting, landscape improvements, tile and carpet laying, and always had a project underway. He played the piano, harps of all sizes, acoustic and electric guitar, and several brass instruments. He greatly enjoyed his time with the Clovis Community Band, usually playing the euphonium. And, he loved our dogs, and canaries, guppies, and all other animals.
June 20th, Hal suffered a severe stroke in a Bakersfield motel, while on a four-day weekend trip to shop in Long Beach and Los Angeles. He died in a hospice in Fresno on July 16th, 2017. My thanks to Dawn Williams and her family, Matthew Avilez, Jared West, Jared Callister, my cousin Janelle Hiam, my neighbors Karen and Mary, and all the many others who helped through this terrible time. At Hal’s request, his remains were cremated without ceremony. Remember that Hal believed we should all enjoy each other, while we are with each other. I will always mourn the loss and treasure every minute of our many years together. Please allow us all time to mourn in peace.
