George Haynes

                                                                      GEORGE FRANKLIN HAYNES

ROCKPORT – Reverend George Franklin Haynes, 96, a devoted servant of the Lord and beloved husband, father and grandfather, left to be with his Savior on December 15, 2023 in the comfort of his own home in Rockport, Texas.

With his boisterous, booming faith-filled voice, George rejoiced in spreading the word of God each and every day of his life. While his family will dearly miss his earthly voice, they are comforted in knowing he is home now with his precious maker and loved ones who proceeded him in death.

No doubt, George’s joyous heaven will be filled with some of his favorite hobbies including sailing, fishing, crossword puzzles, and deer watching.

George was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio to Merrill Haynes and Loretta Zelner Haynes. There was no question as to which George’s direction in life would be. He was passionate about religion from the start.

George received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Whittenberg College and a Bachelor of Divinity, Hamma Divinity School, Springfield, Ohio. On May 23, 1951 he was ordained into the United Lutheran Church in America in Toledo, Ohio.

George was very proud to be a part of the many church families he led and called home throughout his life.

These included his first congregation was Kountze Memorial/Saint John’s Parish in East Canton/New Baltimore Parish, Ohio, where he served for 3years. He then went on to serve as Pastor of First Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church in Oregon, Ohio for 12 years; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Houstin, Texas, for 3 years; Salem Lutheran Church in Port Lavaca, Texas, for 20 years. He then served as deployed staff in the ELCA Bishop’s Office in San Antonio, Texas, for 13 years. He then moved to Rockport, Texas, in 2001 where he served the congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church until his retirement in 2020.

After a short break from the ministry, he was called to Faith Lutheran Church, a small congregation in Taft, Texas, where he served his last communion on December 3, 2023 just a few weeks before his death.

George viewed his stewardship ministry as “One Incredible Adventure,” even writing a book on the topic in 2016. His mission (from the book’s description) – empower and encourage the reader to embark on a life-changing adventure, living as the kind off steward God desires.

His community accomplishments were many: He was a Member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary; President of Lutheran Welfare Service of Northwestern, Ohio; Lieutenant/Engineer of the Oregon, Ohio, Volunteer Fire Department; Member and later Chairman of the United Way Board in Port Lavaca, Texas; Member and later Chairman of the Parks & Recreation Board in Port Lavaca, Texas; Chairman of the Citizen’s Advisory Committee in Port Lavaca, Texas; Organizer/Chairman: IMAGE (Involvement of Many Americans in Gainful Endeavors);

In 1971, George was named the “Calhoun County Outstanding Citizen Award”; Calhoun County Member of the Golden Crescent Council of Governors; In Rockport/Aransas County Texas, he served on the Board of the Aransas County Habitat for Humanity; Aransas County E.M.S Capital Fund Campaign; Coastal Bend Senior Center Board Member; volunteered at Good Samaritans and Castaways.

In June 2020, George was presented with a Diamond Owl Pin from the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, Whittenberg University, in commemoration of his having been a member for 75 years.

He was a significant contributor to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and also supported the Wounded Warriors Project.

George was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother (twin to his sister, Gladys (Midge); sisters, Virginia Reineke and Sara Putman; and his beloved wife of 64 years, Harriett Haynes.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of nearly 8 years, Linda Garcia Haynes of Rockport, Texas; son Stephen Haynes (Claire) of Rockport, Texas; son, John Haynes (Denise) of Lawrence, Kansas; daughter, Elizabeth Gossett (Ned) of Pleasanton, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Rockport, Texas.

In the giving and generous spirit for which he is so well known, George desired to donate his body for study to benefit others to the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Upon completion of the study he will be cremated and returned for interment in the Columbarium at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributing in his memory to the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.