James (Jim) Wilson Haynes, (90), of Athens, Texas passed away on Friday, May 22, 2020 after a brief illness.
He was born on a very cold January 6, 1930 in the family home near Larue, Texas. His parents were Anthony and Lillie (Alexander) Haynes. He is survived by the love of his life and Square Dance partner, Gwyn Haynes; two sons, Raymond Haynes and wife, Lisa of Oceanside, California and Steven Haynes of Corsicana, Texas; brother-in-law, Square Walker, sister-in-law, Gayle Haynes, numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Anthony and Lillie Haynes, a daughter, Leslie Ann Haynes and ten siblings and spouses, Mildred & Weldon Landers, Frances & Jimmy Hall, Thomas and Laura Haynes, Lee & Bernice Chapman, Alice and Jimmy Baggerman, Carrie and Jack Osborn, Julia and Leon Hatter, Jo & Dan Taylor, Frank Haynes, and Hazel Walker.
Jim attended La Poynor School, Larue, Texas as a 1st grade charter student when the school opened in 1936. Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in April 1948, it was “Boot Camp” in San Diego, California followed by some training in Memphis, Tennessee and then to Pensacola, Florida to attend the Navel Photography School for a specialty rating of Aviation Photographer. Through the next several years he advanced to the rating of Aviation Photographers Mate 1st Class with additional assignments at Key West, Florida, Washington D.C., Kami Seya, Japan, and Napa, California.
After nine years of service to the USA, he took an honorable discharge to attend Napa Junior College, Napa, California and Sacramento State College, Sacramento, California. He was employed at Folsom Prison and would often tell people he spent 3 years at Folsom Prison just to see the look on their faces. The next place of employment was the Sacramento County Sherriff’s Department from which he retired as a Sergeant-Deputy Sherriff in 1980.
Then it was back to Texas for a retirement where he was past president of Athens Lion Club and very active in the Pea Pickers Square Dance Club.
Visitation will be Wednesday 27, 2020 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. Graveside services will be Thursday, May 28th at 10:00 A.M. at Larue Cemetery in Larue, Texas.