Garland Haynes, age 85, of Garnett, Kansas, passed away on Sunday, December 17, 2023, at The Mapleton Assisted Living in Andover, Kansas.
He was born on February 6, 1938, in Garnett, Kansas, the son of James Alfred and Vivian M. (Dart) Haynes.
Garland attended school in Garnett and graduated with the class of 1956. After high school he went directly into the Navy and became an Aviation mechanic and was a petty officer 3rd class. Garland served four years with fighter squadron 33. He was aboard the USS Intrepid and the USS Independence. After being honorably discharged he returned to Garnett and worked for Taylor Forge for two years before being employed for TWA as an aviation mechanic for three years. In 1971, he joined the Boilermakers local #83 in Kansas City, Missouri, retiring in 1999. After retirement, he took a job at the Garnett Airport as Airport Manager from 2003-2009. Garland acquired multiple degrees in his lifetime.
Garland and Charlotte Thompson were childhood friends that turned into highschool sweethearts. When he returned for Christmas leave from the service he asked Charlotte to marry him and they were united in marriage on January 7, 1957 in Garnett, Kansas. This union was blessed with three daughters.
Garland enjoyed building airplanes, he had a Barracuda kit airplane that he started building in 1980 and radio controlled airplanes. Creating things was a passion of his, including three items he had patents on. Garland received his pilot license in 1971 and had a great love of flying. Listening to bluegrass music and traveling to Bluegrass festivals in Kentucky was a highlight of his fall days. After attending the festivals it sparked an interest in Garland to learn how to play the banjo, which led to taking lessons. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Garnett, Kansas, the Scottish Rite, Fort Scott, Kansas, and the Mirza Shrine, Pittsburg, Kansas. He also was a member of the Jaycees in Garnett, Kansas. Garland held a love for cars and was a member of the Garnett Lake Cruisers. He owned a 1957 Chevy that was a project that he tinkered on in his spare time, along with in recent years, a roadster t-bucket kit car that he was working on. Garland was a man that liked to work with his hands and always to keep busy.
Garland is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 44 years; daughter Denise and her unborn son, Josh.
Garland is survived by his daughters, Sheri and husband John Scott of Bandera, Texas and Jana and husband Denis Mader of Harrah, Oklahoma; 6 grandchildren; 17 great- grandchildren and 4 great- great grandchild; and numerous other family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service Chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will take place at the Garnett Cemetery, Garnett, Kansas. Garland's family will greet friends on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, and left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.feuerbornfuneral.com
.