John Edgar Haynes

John was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and was proud to be a true “Okie from Muskogee.” As a young boy, his family fled the Oklahoma Dust Bowl in search of a better life, eventually settling in the West. They worked tirelessly in the fields, dug canals with mule teams, and found a new start in Arizona’s fertile valley.

At the age of 17, John married his childhood sweetheart, Ella Carden. Together, they had five children, three of whom—George, Ronnie, and Mary—survived into adulthood and blessed him with numerous grandchildren. John and Ella’s family moved between California and Arizona before finally settling in Mesa, where John built their first home by hand. Eventually, he and Ella divorced.

In 1974, John met Carol Olson, who became the love of his life. They married on Memorial Day in 1976 and shared 48 wonderful years together. Carol’s four children—Marcene, Jerry, Rusty, and Diane—became part of John’s extended family, and he loved them as his own.

A proud member of the Carpenters Union, John contributed to the construction of many high-rises in Phoenix and countless projects throughout Arizona. After retiring, he embraced his role as an “urban farmer,” surrounding himself with tractors, tools, and the simple joys of ranch life.

An avid outdoorsman, John had a lifelong love of horses and coonhounds. He spent countless nights running hounds in the river bottoms and shared his passion for the outdoors with family and friends. His love for Western traditions continued with his wife Carol, where they cherished tending to their land, gardening, and caring for their horses, which remained a source of source of joy until his final years.

John will be remembered for his unwavering work ethic, his passion for the outdoors, and the love and knowledge he shared with everyone he met.