J. Evetts Haley, Jr.

James Evetts Haley, Jr. passed away peacefully at Mesa View Sunset House in Canadian, Texas on Saturday, February 5, 2022, at ninety years of age. A private graveside service will be held on Saturday, February 12, 2022, with Rev. Kyle Segars and Pat McDaniel, officiating.  Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors of Canadian.

Evetts was born in Austin, Texas on December 9, 1931, the only child of J. Evetts Haley, Sr. and Mary Vernita (Stewart) Haley. He enjoyed his early years on the family ranch in Hutchinson County, Texas where his mother homeschooled him for a period of time. Later he attended Schreiner Institute in Kerrville and graduated from high school in Canyon. In 1951, while attending the University of Texas, by a stroke of good fortune, he met Frances Pauline Shaller. They married on March 20, 1954, in Canadian and remained devoted to each other and their shared ranching heritage for over 67 years. Together they raised four children on land along the green banks of the Arkansas River in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, and after thirty years moved to Midland, Texas.

He was a proud, fifth-generation Texan and loyal American patriot, who remained heavily involved in political policymaking at every level, while also being steadfastly focused upon the preservation of the history of the Southwest through his activities at the Nita Stewart Haley Memorial Library. Always a God-fearing man, he never failed to thank the Lord after a good rain on the range, and he had a long-standing love and keen eye for western American art.  In later years when he could no longer oversee his ranching operations in Loving and Winkler counties in West Texas or be the adventurous travel guide for dear family and friends, he returned to the Texas Panhandle. Ever the cowman and steward of the land, however, and true to his word, he continued to own his beloved cattle until the day he went home to be with his Lord and Savior.

Evetts is survived by his loving wife, Frances, of Canadian; his son James Evetts Haley, III and wife, Lauren, of Canadian; daughter Mary Ann Cosner and husband, Tom, of Gans, Oklahoma; son Jeff Haley and wife, Molly, of McLean; and daughter Sabrina Statton and husband, Chris, of Dallas. He was a proud grandfather to 14 wonderful grandchildren and 14 precious great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his tender and compassionate caregivers: Jenny Cervantes, Kelsey Banuelos, Norma Garcia, Jennifer & Brad McQuiddy, and the dedicated staff at the Mesa View Senior Living memory care residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to either the Mesa View Senior Living, 106 Teas Circle, Canadian, Texas 79014, or Hemphill County Hospice, 1020 S. 4^th St., Canadian, Texas 79014.