A devoted father, son, partner, and grandfather, Kim Hinkley died peacefully in his home on Friday evening surrounded by all of his loved ones. 

An entrepreneur at heart, Kim owned and operated multiple businesses within the food industry over the course of his lifetime.  Paving the way with the very first fully operational and highly successful Chinese restaurant in Nebraska, Kim’s dedication to excellency began his laborious but bountiful business adventures which would lead to other successful restaurants including Twin Dragon, Dragon Palace, Asian House, Little Bohemia, and even the widely popular bar and grill, Dodge City.  The creation of the now well-known Guitars & Cadillacs was due in part to its predecessor and first of its kind: Dodge City.  To which the likes of Brooks & Dunn, Bonnie Raitt, George Strait, Clint Black, and countless up and coming artists performed at throughout the early 90’s.  Most recently, and surely remembered by Nebraska City locals, was Imperial Garden; renowned for the past 30 years as, arguably, the top Chinese restaurant within eastern Nebraska and well into western Iowa. The first of its kind, Twin Dragon, helped Kim pave the way for Chinese food businesses to not only multiply but thrive within the Midwest and beyond.

Kim was a selfless person that valued his family above all else.  I had the privilege of calling Kim my stepfather for nearly my entire life.  I feel truly honored to have had the privilege to be a part of his life and especially in the last several months.  Watching Kim with his daughter (my sister Kaley) and his son Bryan was truly a privilege to witness.  And seeing him step fully into his role as “PaPa” brought unbridled joy to my soul.  To know Kim was to know unwavering forgiveness.  It was to witness steadfast authenticity and quiet fortitude.  A stoic equanimous man – steady in chaos, measured in emotion, and unshaken by uncertainty.  Beneath his calm lived a relentless resolve.  To know Kim was to know never ending patience and unwavering compassion.  For those of us that had the honor and privilege to know and be a part of Kims life, we will mourn the days we are unable to spend with him but always rejoice the period of time in our lives when the sun shone a little brighter; because he was a part of it.  

Those left to mourn his passing include a son Bryan Hinkley of Lincoln, NE and his children Jack and Christopher Hinkley and Tidas Greenfield; daughters:  Andrea Tuder of Nebraska City and her children Austin Carlson, Maddison and Aislynne Liming; Kaley Hinkley of Nebraska City and her children Anderson, Ava and Arthur Gottwald; son-in-law Alex Gottwald of Nebraska City and former wife Michelle Hinkley of Nebraska City; brothers:  Gary Hinkley and Ron Hinkley both of Lincoln, NE, David Hinkley of Unadilla, NE; other family and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son William Hinkley.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Gude Mortuary in Nebr. City is in charge of arrangements.