Don Haney Obituary

Name: Visitation for Don Haney
Start: 2015-03-30T23:00:00.000Z
End: 2015-03-31T01:00:00.000Z
Location: Ashby Funeral Home, Inc. - Benton

Don Haney, 80 of Bauxite, Host and producer of Haney's Jazz on KUAR passed away Tuesday, March 24.
Don graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in Broadcasting, followed by a distinquished career in television and radio in Detroit and Canada. Upon moving to Arkansas in 2006 after retirement, he worked as mid-day announcer at KUAR in Little Rock and since 2008, has hosted and produced Haney's Jazz, heard each Friday night at 10:00 p.m.
Getting his start in television, CFPL-TV in London, Ontario hired Don for public affairs documentaries, street reporting, anchor reporting and an opportunity to host his own weekly public affairs show, "The World Around Us", which he did for two years. His popularity in London brought him to the attention of CBC TV in Toronto, where he became an interviewer for the public affairs program "The Way It Is", and later for the public affairs show "Weekend".
In his hometown of Detroit, Don will be remembered for his many years as a television personality, reporter, news anchor, morning show co-host, commentator, and long time talk show host of "Haney's People", which aired 13 years on ABC Channel 7 Detroit. After the third year, the show had broken two national records, and then Mayor Gribbs declared June 23, 1971 as "Don Haney Day" in Detroit, with and Executive Declaration from Michigan's Governor Milliken and many officials representing the state's highest levels of education and government presenting him with citations, plaques, and awards for his "outstanding achievements in bringing people together in public forum." Don will also be remembered for his Detroit community involvement, as he served on or chaired numerous organizational boards for many years, including World Medical Relief, Focus Hope, Michigan's Aeronautics Commission, SIDS Foundation, and many others. Don volunteered his time for many organizations in Detroit, including the Girl Scouts, Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethons, reading to the blind, and numerous others. Don was known for his voice, his articulate use of words and was often sought as the guest speaker or Master of Ceremonies for various events.
Don will be remembered by many for his reporting during the race riots in Detroit and his commentaries on controversial subjects. During his career, Don received many prestigious awards and recognitions, including Soul Communicator Award; Resolution of Honor by the House of Representatives, State of Michigan; TV Radio Mirror Award, Resolution of Honor from the City of Detroit, Irene M. Arberlin Award, The Silver Circle from National Academy of Television Arts and Science, and many others; but his proudest accomplishment was often becoming the first African American in a position, paving the way for others to follow in his footsteps.
In Arkansas, Don will be remembered for his love and devotion to his wife, Brenda, his mesmerizing voice, his knowledge of and love for jazz, his willingness to mentor, his gentle spirit, his love for a good laugh, and his witty descriptive, sometimes profane, comments.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Anna Baldwin and father, Mack Haney of Detroit.
Don is survived by his wife and the love of his life, Brenda (Lisenbey) Bauxite, and two daughters, Karen Wells (Jeff) of Detroit and Kim Richards (Eric) of Florida and one granddaughter, Taylor Gordon. He is also survived by the mother of his two daughters, Shirley Haney of Detroit. Other survivors include step children, Mike (Kim) Paxton of Benton, Mark and Dr. Rakhshanda Rahman of Amarillo, Texas, Melisa Shepherd of Jarrell, Texas and seven step grandchildren.
Chapel Services will be 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, at Ashby Funeral Home
Family visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Ashbys. A memorial service is also being planned in Detroit.
Donations may be made in Don's memory to KUAR Public Radio in Little Rock, Arkansas.
On line guestbook: www.ashbyfuneralhome.com
Family comments: Our appreciation goes to Dr. Paul Zelnick, Dr. Joe Pevahouse, and the employees of the Fresenius Dialysis Center in Benton.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Saline Courier from Mar. 27 to Apr. 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Don Haney

Sponsored by Ashby Funeral Home, Inc. - Benton.

4 Entries

Al Hubbs

January 7, 2017

I first met Don when we worked together at radio station CKCR-AM in Kitchener Ontario Canada. We were both beginning broadcasters and poor aS church mice so we had rooms at the local YMCA and could walk to work. Don moved to Detroit and I moved Windsor a few years later and our friendship continued. At one point we share an office on 6-Mile road so I could legally work in the US. I became the godfather to his daughter Karen. Don was more than just a friend. We shared a great kinship and I am saddened by the loss. RIP my friend.

AL HUBBS

January 7, 2017

I FIRST MET DON WHEN WE WERE BOTH WORKING AT CKCR-AM RADIO IN KITCHENER ONTARIO CANADA. WE ALSO HAD ROOMS AT THE LOCAL YMCA AND USED TO WALK TOGETHER TO THE STATION. DOM MOVED TO DETROIT AND A FEW YEARS LATER I MOVED TO WINDSOR AND OUR FRIENDSHIP CONTINUED. AT ONE POINT WE SHARED AN OFFICE ON 6 MILE SO I COULD WORK IN THE US. I EVEN BECAME THE GODFATHER TO HIS DAUGHTER KAREN. HE WAS A GOOD FRIED AND I SHALL MISS HIM.
AL HUBBS

Bill Culligan

June 10, 2015

I just recently heard of Don Haney's passing.I recall that Don and I shared a fondness for jazz,as Don had a wealth of
knowledge on this topic.So goodbye to The
Debonaire Don,see you on the "A TRAIN"

June 8, 2015

I remember working with Don at CFPL TV in London Ontario. He had a rich voice and a wonderful personality. His sense of humour will not be forgotten! I am so sorry to belatedly learn of his passing.
John Mahoney

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