Donald Edward Haynes passed away, on July 7, in Bradenton, Florida.
Don was born in Dayton, Tennessee, as the youngest child of Emmett O. and Ruby Hawkins Haynes, on May 30, 1940.
His family moved to Cookeville, where Donald graduated from Central High School (presently Cookeville High) with the class of 1959. He attended Tennessee Tech and joined the Tennessee National Guard, enjoyed his service as a helicopter pilot, and then retired at the rank of Major, in 2000. He married Ella Bullock, in 1965, gaining a son and daughter simultaneously, and their third child, another son, was born a few years later.
Donald loved his helicopter pilot years, travel, boating, camping, convertibles, and people. He lived his life in a style of “the more the merrier,” and he and Ella were happiest when surrounded with friends and family, eating meals he cooked on the grill, laughing, and storytelling. Any afternoon of the week, unplanned happy hours and meals sprang up with neighbors, friends, or family coming by. Weather permitting, those get-togethers were on his deck, where his unmistakable, joyous laugh could be heard through the surrounding backyards of their neighborhood.
Donald embraced life, living it to its fullest. He and Ella owned and operated Haynes Office Supply and Printing Company for many years, and, then retiring at the age of 49, they set out to travel in their motor home, making memories and lifelong friends along the way, being sure to be home for the holidays, but spending winters in sunny Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by his first wife, Ella Mae Hollett Bullock Haynes.
Donald is survived by his wife, Cindy Thrasher West Haynes. He is also survived by his three children, Barbara Greeson (Jim), Eddy Haynes (Diane), and Marvin Bullock; grandson, Stephen Lee (Cynthia); and great-grandchildren, Caroline Lee, Andrew Lee, and Emma Wyche.
Plans for a family memorial service are incomplete at this time. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at michaeljfox.org ($.88 of every dollar goes to research) or the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 565 E. 10th St., Cookeville, TN 38501, or the charity of your choice.
Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
