Howard Hartman Haines

Howard Hartman Haines was born in Oklahoma City on May 28, 1956, to Harry and Shirley (Snoddy) Haines. Howard’s rambunctious and carefree childhood was interrupted by the difficulties of learning to read in first grade. When his parents were told that their eldest child would never finish high school, they searched out new special education programs recently available in the early 1960s. With training, hard work, and perseverance, Howard graduated from Enid High School in 1975, then completed a BA in Sociology at Phillips University in 1980, including a semester abroad in Sweden, which incorporated travel throughout Scandinavia, western Europe, and the Soviet Union.

In 1985, Howard joined the Navy as a medical corpsman serving at the Long Beach and Pensacola Naval Bases. He was assigned to the USS Jason in 1989 and served in Operation Desert Storm, undergoing constant shelling and aiding casualties of the war. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Battle “E” Ribbon, and Sea Service deployment ribbon with Bronze Star.

Throughout his time in the Navy, Howard led Bible studies that commenced lifelong friendships and a call to ministry. After the USS Jason’s homecoming in San Diego in 1991, Howard enrolled at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, MS. Working three jobs, he graduated with a M.Div. in 1996, mastering both Greek and Hebrew.

Howard loved to meet people and learn about their lives. He loved his family and the Lord, and was filled with curiosity about everything, enjoying the many cultures he encountered around the world.

Howard is survived by a brother, Harvey Haines (Cindy) of Vienna, VA, a sister, Holly Haines of Amarillo; three nieces: Heather Haines (Peter Wang), Melanie Chainsman (Cory), and Sally Koch (Paul); and his beloved rescue cat Pebbles.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Amarillo on Monday, February 23 at 11:00am.