Donald "Donnie" Haynes, Jr.

March 14, 1945 – March 12, 2026

Donald "Donnie" Haynes, Jr., 80, of McMullen County, Texas, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026—just two days short of his 81st birthday.

Born on March 14, 1945, Donnie was a fourth-generation rancher who spent his earliest years on the family ranch in and around Cross. He grew up around the ranch alongside his grandparents, and it was from "Moms and Papa" that he inherited his deep love of the land, ranch life, and hunting. Long before he had a driver's license he would drive his grandparents around. He often told the story of getting a ticket at the age of 12 for driving them. A gifted athlete from an early age, Donnie played baseball as a catcher in Little League, Senior League, and American Legion ball (there was no high school team at the time). He was a 1963 graduate of Pleasanton High School, where he marched in the band and starred as an offensive lineman on the football team. He continued his education and athletic career at Texas A&I University, graduating in 1967 obtaining a bachelor's degree.

After graduation, Donnie taught 8th-grade math and served as assistant football coach at Pleasanton Junior High. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1969 to 1970. Upon returning home, he joined his father in the family tax and accounting business at the ranch in Cross, a practice he continued almost until the very end. In 1990 he was elected McMullen County Treasurer and served with distinction from 1991 until his retirement in 2010.

A lifelong member of the Tilden Baptist Church since 1959, Donnie handled the church's accounting and tax services for decades, quietly supporting his faith community in the same steady way he supported his county and his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Rose Mary Haynes, and his grandparents, Tom and Mary Franklin and Roy and Myrtle Haynes.

Donnie is survived by his sister, Mary Catherine Kessler and her husband Dan; his niece, Caitrin Johnson and her husband Todd; his nephew, Marty Soward and his wife Casey; great-nieces Cailyn Alderete (Zack), Nikki Milano (Mark), Terryn Soward, Roselyn Johnson, Adelyn Johnson, Madison Sherrer, Makenzie Sherrer, and Masyn Sherrer; great-nephew, Martin "Donnie" Soward, Jr.; and great-great-nephew Zaiden Alderete.

He loved watching McMullen County High School volleyball and basketball games, cheering on the Dallas Cowboys, following NASCAR, riding through the pasture checking his beloved Brahman cattle, and rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Above all, he loved his family, his ranch, and the simple joy of being outdoors.

A life well lived, a legacy of quiet service, and a heart rooted in McMullen County soil—Donnie will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Services are scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026 at Hurley Funeral Home, starting with a visitation from 3:00 pm until 8:00 pm, with family present from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm.  A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Hurley Funeral Home, staring at 2:00 pm followed by burial at San Miguel Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Martin "Donnie" Soward, Jr., Todd Johnson, Mark Ramert, Michael Ramert, Mario Garza, Mark Milano, Zack Alderete and Steve Jura.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Pennington, Warren Wheeler, Jay Gilbert, Dan Kessler, Bob Baines, JW Austin, John Austin and Tracey Jendrusch