Phillip L. Haynes

1937 - 2025

Phillip (Phil) Haynes, age 87, of Gridley passed away peacefully in his home on July 3, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and his beloved dog. Phil was born October 12, 1937, in Watsonville, California and spent most of his early years in the Berryessa area of San Jose, which was a rural farming community at the time. He grew up working in his great uncle's prune and apricot orchards. From early childhood, the only thing he wanted to do was to become a farmer. He was industrious from a very young age, starting with raising chickens that his mom would sell to her friends. A strong work ethic was the foundation of his personality.
He met his wife, Lou Ella (Ellie), at the age of 16 at a community dance for high school students in the San Jose area. They were together from that night forward and were happily married for 64 years until her passing in 2022. Phil went to James Lick High School where he was on the wrestling team and a member of FFA. He graduated from San Jose State University in 1961 with a degree in Industrial Arts. During college, he worked delivering farm equipment throughout Northern California. After delivering a few machines to Gridley and meeting some of the local farmers, he set his mind on settling there. Upon graduating from college, he moved his young family to Gridley where he taught at Gridley High School while developing his first prune orchard. As he was getting started in farming, many local farmers provided mentoring for which he was always grateful. He made many good friends while teaching math, shop, and mechanical drawing, and remained friends with many of his students throughout his life. By 1967, he was a full-time farmer. He spent his first 31 years in farming slowly acquiring prune, peach, and walnut orchards. He was a talented machinist, draftsman, and enjoyed designing and building any type of equipment used in his farming operation. He was always seeking new business opportunities. He built and operated a commercial walnut dehydrator on his farm, in addition to doing various commercial farming work. His final 33 years in farming were in rice, growing rice and then leasing the ground. He was involved in several community and business organizations including the Gridley Rotary Club, a 6th generation member of the Masonic Lodge, and serving several terms on the Board of Directors for both the Butte Water District and the Federal Land Bank.
He enjoyed pheasant and duck hunting, especially the comradery with his fellow hunters. For many years he was a member of a local hunting club. He is survived by his three children, John Haynes, Carol Haynes Smith (Douglas), and Julia Haynes McConaughy (Patrick). He is also survived by five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife, Lou Ella Haynes; his parents, Karl F. and Blanche Burton Haynes; and his siblings, John Burton Haynes and Mary Haynes. He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by those who knew him. A celebration of his life will be held at a future date. Contributions can be made to North Butte Masonic Lodge #230 - 1200 Sycamore St. - Gridley, CA 95948 or your favorite charity.