Matt Hinkin Death, Obituary

Knoxville, Tennessee is mourning the loss of a familiar and trusted voice. Matt Hinkin, longtime chief meteorologist at WATE-TV, has died at the age of 62.

Hinkin served East Tennessee for more than three decades, becoming a staple in households across the region. Known for his signature greeting, “Hey Matt! What’s the weather?”, he built a reputation not only for accurate forecasting but for his deep connection to the community.

Throughout his 31-year career at the station, Hinkin made frequent visits to local schools and community events. He also co-hosted the popular Saturday morning program “New at the Zoo” alongside Tim Adams, helping introduce younger audiences to wildlife and travel, including a memorable season filmed in Africa.

Hinkin had been living with Parkinson’s Disease and retired in 2021. In the years that followed, he remained active in raising awareness and supporting others through the PJ Parkinson’s Support group.

A native of Lawton, he studied at Kansas State University and University of Kansas before beginning his broadcast career in Missouri and Kansas. He joined WATE-TV in 1990 and became a steady presence during major weather events, including the Blizzard of 1993.

Hinkin’s life was also marked by personal loss. His wife, Deborah, whom he met at the station, died in a car crash in 2020.

He is remembered as a devoted broadcaster, a man of faith, and a compassionate presence whose impact extended far beyond the forecast.

The family is expected to release obituary, memorial, funeral, and visitation arrangements in the coming days. Pending those details, not all information may be fully confirmed, and this report may be updated as new information becomes available.