Pastor John Albert Haynes

John Haynes, 82, of Lake Jackson, Texas, went home to be with the Lord on December 6, 2025. He was born on January 2, 1943, in Borger, Texas, to John A. Haynes and Ethelyn Waite Haynes.

John lived a life marked by faith, integrity, and a deep dedication to serving others.

John grew up in a home in Old Ocean, Texas, which is now incorporated into the Phillips Petroleum plant. He spent summers with his grandparents in Jenks and Sapulpa, Oklahoma. He graduated from Sweeny High School in 1961.

He graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science degree. During his college years, he worked for JCPenney in Huntsville, Texas, where he eventually became Assistant Store Manager.

He met and fell in love with his beautiful bride, Evelyn Claire Foster while they were at Sam Houston State University and married her at the Columbia Methodist Church on August 26, 1965.

John’s career led him into retail and furniture merchandising, where he excelled as a buyer for Joske’s in Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. He later served as National Merchandise Manager for Lee L. Woodard & Sons in Owosso, Michigan. After returning to Texas, he managed Casual Patio in Houston.

In 1976, John felt a call to ministry and graduated from Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. He began full-time ministry serving as Christian Education Director at The Christian Center in West Columbia, where he poured his heart into teaching, building, and encouraging families.

John later became the Founder and Pastor of Family Life Church and, subsequently, New Beginnings Community Church of Lake Jackson. His ministry touched countless lives through his compassion, wisdom, and unwavering faith.

John was originally ordained with the Assemblies of God. After founding his first church, his ordination was placed under Pastor John Osteen of Lakewood Church and later under Pastor Joel Osteen following Pastor John Osteen’s passing.

John is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Claire Haynes; his daughters, Kim Hollenshead and husband, Charles, and Lori Hagemeier and husband, Heath; his sister, Susan Williams; his grandchildren Seth Hagemeier and wife, Gena; Kevin Sparrow and wife Celeste; Claire Sparrow and significant other Hunter Kerstin; Jareck Hollenshead and wife Clarissa, and Lauren Bercegeay; Great-grandchildren Avery, Addison and Ashton Sparrow; Gage and Miles Hagemeier; Oliver Manning; Emma, Cory, Colton and Paisley Hollenshead and a number of nieces and nephews, all of whom brought him great joy and pride.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Nancy Earnheart.

John will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, a man of strong faith, and a shepherd to many. His legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the ministries he helped build.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at New Beginnings Community Church, 400 N. Dixie Drive, Lake Jackson, TX 77566.  A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 2:00 p.m., followed by a short graveside service at Old Columbia Cemetery in West Columbia, Texas.

Memorial donations may be made to the The Salvation Army Virtual Red Kettle Campaign in memory of John Haynes.

To contribute online, please visit: https://give.salvationarmytexas.org/campaign/virtual-red-kettle-2025-freeport-tx/c734305