James M. Haney

1949 - 2021

James M. Haney, 71, passed away Saturday, December 26, 2020 in Amarillo. A private family graveside was held on Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Memorial Park Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held at a later date. Please visit www.memorialparkamarillo.com to see the full obituary and updated service information.

James was loved and adored by his family. He loved and was devoted to his wife of 50 years, Renee, and together they loved art. James loved and was so proud of his two sons, Michael and Aaron. He also loved his younger sister, Helen, and his brother, Thomas.

An incredibly talented artist, James owned James M. Haney Gallery on Olsen Blvd. in Amarillo since 1980. His art clients loved him and admired his paintings and his vast knowledge of art. A big part of James' professional success was how he treated his clients-always like "royalty."

James M. Haney was born to James Thomas and Lucy Haney on May 15, 1949 in Matador, TX. He was the middle child of three children. His family moved to a farm outside Seminole, TX in 1958 where James attended Seminole High School. It was there that he developed his abilities as an aspiring young artist and designer.

After graduating from high school in 1967, James attended West Texas State University as an art major enjoying taking classes under and working for the well-known Dr. Emilio Caballero. James also worked for the "TEXAS" production in the amphitheater at Palo Duro Canyon. It was at WT where James met the love of his life, fellow art major, Renee Sanders. They were married in Dumas, TX on December 19, 1970.

After graduating from college, James and Renee moved to Dumas. James commuted to nearby Stratford where he established the art department and taught art to fourth graders through seniors in high school from 1972-1977 where he was recognized as an outstanding teacher.

As a Rotarian, James helped establish the well-known Rotary Art Exhibition in Amarillo for several years. His art career took Renee and him to London and much of Europe, In 1984 James was invited to participate in the Western Heritage Art Exhibition at the American Embassy in London and later at Chatsworth House. James also hosted many art exhibitions of well-known artists in his own gallery. An invitation to a Haney Gallery art exhibition was highly coveted. James enjoyed showing his own fine works, but also that of other artists as well.

Survivors include his wife, Renee; two sons, James Michael II and Aaron Scott, both of the home; an older brother, Thomas Luther of Houston, TX; a younger sister, Helen Greene, of Amarillo; a niece, Lucy-Marie Spoon and husband, Rob, of Fritch, TX; sister-in-law, Jane Ette Sanders of West Palm Beach FL; niece, Julie Janee Adams and husband, Rick, and daughter, Rose, of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; and nephew, Denton Scott Rhoads, and wife, Penny, and children of Melbourne, FL.

The family wishes to thank James' two employees, Austin Still and Jose Vazquez, for their friendship and outstanding work, and special thanks to his workout friends at Verdure and his Friday early morning coffee buddies.