Former WATE Chief Meteorologist Matt Hinkin, who covered weather in East Tennessee for more than 30 years, has passed away at the age of 62.

Hinkin battled Parkinson’s Disease for several years before he retired from WATE Channel 6 in August 2021.

A native of Lawton, Oklahoma, he received a Bachelor of Science at Kansas State University and an Atmospheric Science Degree from the University of Kansas.

Hinkin began his career with KSNF in Joplin, Missouri, and KSNT in Topeka, Kansas, before joining WATE in Knoxville in 1990.

Hinkin and his wife, Deborah, met while both worked at WATE. They were married for 28 years. Deborah died in a car crash in November 2020.

Funeral arrangements will be announced soon.