Raymond Haynes

Raymond Lloyd Haynes was an active man who liked to have fun. He was very outgoing and liked meeting people, whether for business or a good time. Born after the Second World War, Ray was part of a generation that enjoyed the prosperity of hopeful nation.

Raymond was born on March 16, 1947 in Newark, New Jersey, one of Lloyd Raymond and Faye (Jones) Haynes’ six children. His parents worked as fruit pickers and routinely moved the family between Michigan and Florida. Each time they resettled to a different location, Ray adjusted to his new surroundings. Perhaps that’s why he was good at socializing. Ray was never shy about meeting new people and came off as a salesman, skilled at talking anyone into anything.

At age 17, he met and married a young woman named Ruth, and they began a family. They shared in the lives of their three daughters – Debbie, Melissa, and Tammy – even after Ray and Ruth divorced.

Ray was working at a local die cast factory in Fennville, Michigan when he met Janie Lunsford at the “What Not Inn” in Ganges, Michigan. From that first conversation, they struck up a relationship that culminated in marriage in December of 1973. Their first child, Margie Sue, was born in 1974, followed by two more girls, Shirley and Cindy. Ray then had six daughters who became acquainted with one another each 4th of July when they headed west to New Madrid, Missouri where his oldest three daughters lived. For a year, Ray and Janie and family moved out west to New Mexico but came back to settle in Fennville. Though the marriage did not last, Ray maintained his relationship with his daughters.

During his career, Ray worked in machine shops and as a handyman, but in the early 1980s, he became disabled due to back ailments. Still, he kept active as a result of his fondness for shopping at flea markets. He owned the Bargain Barn in Holland, Michigan, which sold novelties. In later years, Ray also owned a pressure washing and painting business. Being his own boss had its advantages, especially when his aging parents needed assistance. Ray moved to Florida to take care of his father and mother, and at the same time, was fortunate to meet a woman with whom he shared the rest of his life.

Ray and Rebecca “Becky” married and settled in Belleview, Florida. They had 10 years together, sharing his love for his dog Bubba and his Dodge Dakota Truck, listening to country music and watching comedies or action movies. Ray also liked to fish, play pool, board games and cards, or just hang out with his fellow lodge members at the Moose Lodge. Already having raised six daughters whom he loved dearly, Ray bonded with Becky’s two sons, Arlo and Jamie while living in Florida.

More recently, Ray came to live with his daughter and son-in-law, Cindy and Matt, and his daughter Sue in a home in Fennville. Ray could often be seen around town at the VFW Post 7911 or the Steven’s Hotel. Back home once again, Ray passed away at his home on Wednesday July 9, 2008 at the age of 61. He will be fondly remembered for his friendliness and fun-loving ways. He was a loving father and grandfather and a good friend to many people in his life.

Raymond Lloyd Haynes was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Faye Haynes and his former wife, Janie Haynes.

He is survived by his wife, Becky Haynes of Belleview, Fl; his daughters, Debbie and Lester Johnson of Lone Oak, Texas, Melissa Gari of New Madrid, Missouri, Tammy Bixler of Lone Oak, Texas, Sue Hopkins of Fennville, Shirley Haynes of Holland, Cindy and Matt Williams of Fennville; his stepsons, Arlo Nixon of Anthony, FL and Jamie Nixon of Jamesville, FL; seventeen grandchildren; and a great grandchild on the way; his sisters, Shirley Turner of Belleview, Florida, Betty Green of Belleview, Florida, Linda and Wayne Tolles of South Haven; several nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on Monday July 14, 2008 at the VFW Post 7911, 2373 53rd Street, Fennville.

Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc., Mulder Chapel.

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