Samuel Albert Haynes' Obituary
McLEAN
SERVICES- 3:00 pm Friday, June 27, 2014 in the First United Methodist Church in McLean with Rev. Mark Wilson, officiating.
INTERMENT- Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean with Masonic Rites by Shamrock Masonic Lodge #929, AF & AM.
Arrangements are by Robertson Funeral Directors of McLean.
Samuel Albert Haynes was born January 29, 1929, in St. Anthony’s Hospital in Amarillo to John Cecil and Minnie Morse Haynes. When his parents were vacillating between two names, the nuns at the hospital suggested his name because it was the same initials as the hospital.
Sam lived his early years in Pampa where he was active in all sports, inspired by his mother who was a gifted athlete, and who taught her sons to play tennis, and could outrun them until they were grown. Sam led the football team at his elementary school (Sam Houston) and later at Pampa Junior High. At Pampa High School, he was quarterback of the Gorillas (the Pampa JV football team) until the family moved to McLean to run his grandfather Morse’s ranch. Sam graduated from McLean High School in 1947. He was the quarterback for the Tigers during high school, and remained an avid fan for the rest of his life, serving for more than 30 years as the Voice of the Tigers at all the home football games.
He continued his love of sports throughout his life, playing both golf and tennis until well into his seventies. Along with his brother, Johnny, his life-long friend Carl Dwyer and others, he won numerous city championships in doubles tennis.
On June 17, 1949, he married Billie Joyce Thacker. They had two children, Samuel Thacker and Jennifer Lynn, He and his brother John M. operated the Triangle Ranch, until his granddad, J.S. Morse’s death, when the ranch was divided. He spent many hours playing softball with the Methodist Mudhens, and coaching a variety of Little League teams. He served more than 13 years on the McLean School Board, many as the president of the board.
After his first marriage ended, he married Linda Ann Raines, a teacher in McLean in 1967, becoming a dad to Linda’s children, Kathy Lynne, Scott Curtis, and Sally Ann. In 1971, their daughter Dollie Lee was born. In 1972, the ranch house burned and he moved his family to town, where he became even more active in community affairs.
Sam served as Mayor of McLean, for a total of 18 years. He also served as the chairman of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, the chairman of the Texas Municipal League, member of the Coronado Hospital board, and chairman of the Gray County Appraisal Board for 20 years. He was a member of the McLean Lions Club with more than 50 years of perfect attendance and a member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 60 years.
In his later years, he continued to serve, putting in more than 28 years as the local observer for the National Weather Service and many years as a member of the Lovett Memorial Library board of directors.
His church was a major part of his life. He served the United Methodist Church in McLean in every office, including lay leader and chairman of the board, taught Sunday School, led Methodist Youth, and sang tenor in the church choir for more than 60 years. He sang at funerals and community events as a member of the Men’s Quartet for many years.
Second only to his church, his family was the center of his life. Watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in all kinds of sporting events, performances or competitions was the joy of his life.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, one grandchild, Brandon Scott Raines, one son-in-law, Marty Reece Duniven, and his sister-in-law, Glenda Joyce Haynes.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda; six children: Thacker and wife Sharon of McLean; Jennifer Evans and husband Rick of McLean; Kathy Duniven of Ft. Worth; Scott Raines of Amarillo; Sally Carter and Jim Ball of Dallas; and Dollie Buckhaults and husband Tex of Clarendon;
Grandchildren JT Haynes and wife Jamie of Canyon, Chris Evans of Edmond OK; Jack Evans and wife April of Lucas, TX; Kristina Luna and husband Paul of Ft Worth; Charles Carter and wife Leslie of Mineral Wells, Sasha Maxwell and husband Jason of Amarillo, Shearaton and Alexandria Carter of Dallas, Xenia Andis and husband Jerad of Pampa, Minnie Caroline, Lee, Tessa, Albert, and Elinor Buckhaults of Clarendon; and foster grandchildren Amanda Almanza and husband Chance, and Evonne and Evette Villareal
Great grandchildren: Quinn and Cort Haynes; Aubrey and Raechel Evans, Jenna, Jaica, and Zane Evans; Emerson, Katie, Avery, and Ransom Carter, Tylie Jordan, Anhelica, Carter, and Bella Luna and Maudi Comacho, Gema, Zaidan, and Eli Venegas, Bella Carrillo and Cecilia Beraza, and Kennedy Almanza.
Sam is also survived by his brother, John Morse Haynes of McLean, nieces, Sheri Haynes, Lori Cunningham, Joni Golden, Sandra Barnes, Sharon Haynes, and Shawn Frische, and nephews, Mike Haynes, David Haynes, Morse Haynes, Sam Don Haynes, and Tom Looper and a host of extended family members.
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