After a long illness, John Elex Hines (Johnny) of Oakland, California passed away at Summit Alta-Bates Medical Center on November 21, 2008. He was born December 1, 1948 to the late Willie and Catherine Stokes Hines. A kind, generous, and funloving person who was named for his paternal grandfather, John grew up as ""Johnny"". Wherever he was and with whomever he worked, he always found joy and surrounded himself with people who chose to see the bright side of life. Johnny graduated from the Conway County Training School in Menifee, Arkansas; attended Arkansas A M & N College, and was drafted into the Army, where he served from July 7, 1968 until June 9, 1979, when he chose to return to civilian life. His military service included an extended tour of duty in Vietnam where he was wounded. On his return to Arkansas he was employed by Universal-Nolin; he relocated to Oakland, where he remained unitl his passing. In Oakland he was a dry-wall contractor until his health failed. Johnny joined Zion Temple C.M.E. Church under the pastoral care of Reverend James Wiley; he retained his membership at Zion Temple, and in Oakland was affiliated with Allen Temple. He is survived by his wife, Corbi Turner Hines; two sons, John Hines, Jr. (Sierra) and Edward Hines; one grandchild, Johntaye Marcus Hines all of Fresno, California; a sister, Dr. Alice Hines; a niece, Dr. Kathy Littles of Oakland, California; a nephew, Christopher Foshee; a sister-in-law, Ruby Littles; an uncle Damon Stokes, Jr. of Russellville, Arkansas; and two aunts, Bertha Bobo of Oakland, California; Lila Stokes of Atkins, Arkansas and a host of loving and supportive cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by an older brother, Ben Littles and by his parents.