He was born in Manhattan, grew up in New Rochelle, and came to Princeton from Kent School. He joined Cottage Club and majored in English. He was a member of the 1952-53 Ivy League championship hockey team and earned All-Ivy honors.
After graduation Jinx became an officer with the United States Marine Corps and was stationed in Japan during the Korean War. Returning to civilian life, Jinx became an advertising copywriter and, eventually, a vice president and creative director for Dancer Fitzgerald Sample in Manhattan, where he created memorable advertising campaigns for Toyota, Life Savers, Schick razors, and Bayer aspirin, among others.
His wife, Sheila, predeceased him by three weeks. He is survived by three children, 14 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.