Matt Hinkin Death Obituary

For decades in East Tennessee, if you wanted to know the forecast, there was one voice you trusted.

Matt Hinkin — the longtime chief meteorologist at WATE-TV — has passed away at 62, leaving behind not just a career, but a connection with an entire community.

For 31 years, he delivered more than weather. With his familiar phrase, “Hey Matt! What’s the weather?”, he became part of daily life across Knoxville and beyond. But it was who he was off-camera that made him unforgettable — visiting schools, attending events, and making time for the people who watched him.

Many also remember him from “New at the Zoo,” where he teamed up with Tim Adams to bring stories of wildlife and adventure to younger viewers — even traveling as far as Africa to share those experiences.

In recent years, Hinkin faced Parkinson’s Disease, retiring in 2021 but continuing to support others through advocacy and community work.

His journey began in Lawton, with studies at Kansas State University and University of Kansas, eventually leading him to a career that would make him a household name in Tennessee. Through storms like the Blizzard of 1993, he was a steady, reassuring presence.

Behind the scenes, he also carried personal grief, losing his wife Deborah in 2020 — a loss that deeply affected him.

Now, the community he served for so long is remembering a man who brought clarity in uncertain weather, kindness in everyday moments, and a lasting sense of trust.

The family will release obituary, memorial, funeral, and visitation details at a later time. Until then, some information remains subject to confirmation, and this report may be updated as additional details emerge.