James Haynes

James Walter Haynes, Sr. passed away Thursday morning, December 16, 2021, at Hillcrest Hospital South, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

James was born February 11, 1947, at Twin Falls, Idaho to Archie Tom Haynes and Florence Evelyn (Belden) Haynes. He moved to Oologah, Oklahoma at a young age, with his family. James began his education in Oologah schools, later moving to Nowata, Oklahoma in 1960.

James was a talented brick layer and was a member of the Bricklayers & Allied Crafworkers Local #5 out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He constructed hundreds of fireplaces and other masonry works over the years, but his true passion was for souls of people and preaching the Word of God. It was a calling from which he never retired. James pastored Amazing Grace Tabernacle in Collinsville; he co-pastored Good Shepherd of Faith with Geraldine Haynes in Nowata and most recently, the Fountain of Life Church in Dewey, Oklahoma. James married Mary Sue Santmyer on July 27, 1974, at Nowata.

James was a fisher of men, but also an avid fisherman. He loved his family and music, teaching himself to play piano, guitar, and other instruments.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Sue of the home; six sons, James W. Haynes, Jr. of Owasso, Oklahoma, Kenneth Gerald Bryer and wife, Teresa of Lenapah, Oklahoma, Mark L. Haynes and wife, Tammy, Terry Leon Bryer, Tony Allen Haynes and Phillip Andrew Haynes, all of Nowata; seven sisters, Gerri Seratte-Ross of Arlington, Texas, Shirley Tucker and husband, Bob of Collinsville, Elsie Smith of Bartlesville, Peggy Fryman and Nancy Rabbitt, both of Collinsville, Bonnie Hice and husband, Danny of Grand Prairie, Texas and Betty DeVore of Nowata; 28 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; other relatives and many friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents; by his first wife, Verda M. (Crocker) Haynes; by five brothers, Wayne, Archie Claudine, Donnie, Ronnie, and Bobby Haynes; and by two sisters, Darlene Rush and Sharon Lang.

Funeral service will be held, Monday, December 27, 2021, at 2pm in the Fountain of Life Tabernacle, Dewey, with Pastor Michael Sirmon, officiating. Interment will follow in Nowata’s Re-Located Cemetery, under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service. Come and go visitation will be held Sunday, December 26, 1-6 p.m. at Benjamin Funeral Service. Those who would like to, are asked to donate to Fountain of Life Tabernacle, 1500 N. Choctaw St., Dewey, OK 74029. To leave an online condolence, visit www.honoringmemories.com.