James D. Haley

James Haley Obituary

Haley, James D.
June 14, 1932 - November 15, 2010
James Haley was born in Maxwell, Nebraska on June 14, 1932 and raised in Flint, Michigan as the youngest of eleven children. He lost a courageous battle with lymphoma and liver cancer on November 15, 2010.

James married his hometown sweetheart, Donna Soles, in Flint in 1951. James started his career in the auto industry during its heyday in Flint, Michigan, but eventually opted to join the Navy in 1952 and served his four-year stint stationed at Terminal Island during the Korean War. James and Donna eventually settled in Lennox, where they raised their family, started a business, and were active in local schools and civic activities. James served on the Lennox School Board with distinction for 20 years - including 4 years as President - where he made many life-long friendships.

James was a self-made man. He spent the majority of his career in the HVAC trade. Haley's Heating & Air Conditioning was responsible for installations in office buildings, hospitals, amusement parks, and movie studios all over Southern California.

James and Donna began spending their holidays and weekends at Big Bear Lake in the 1960's, and began building their dream home there in 1990 - where they eventually retired in 1999. Jim loved to entertain family and friends at the Big Bear home. A man of many passions, he loved playing guitar with his musician friends, camping with his RV buddies across the southland, watching John Wayne movies, listening to the music of Les Paul and Chet Atkins, and a glass of fine red wine.

James was preceded in death by his parents, William & Bettie Haley, Donna - his beloved wife of 51 years, and all 10 siblings. He leaves behind his loving companion Frances Haley; his two sons, Ronald of Fenton, MI and Randall of Redondo Beach; six grandchildren, Alexandra and Sydney Haley of Redondo Beach, Rhonda Haley of El Segundo, Erica Haley Gerken of Bloomington, IN, Nicholas Hampton of Redondo Beach, and Katherine Vincent of Flint, MI; two great-grandchildren, Ronald Vincent of Fenton, MI and Landon Gerken of Bloomington, IN; and dozens of nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held at Kern Mortuary, 16120 Main St, Hesperia, CA at 1pm on Saturday, Dec. 4.

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

Published by Los Angeles Times from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for James Haley

3 Entries

hank saroyan

December 4, 2010

I met Jim Haley about twenty years ago when he built his dream house in Big Bear. Over the years we had always planned to hang out and have fun if I ever moved up here, and Jim came to my financial rescue by buying the adjacent meadow, which we each cherished as vacant. When I finally DID move to Big Bear last year, Jim became ill and our plans for guitar and singing went awry, but I always welcomed his humorous commentary on my life, my loves and the ever-present fungus on my house. Watching him succumb to his illness was deeply painful to me as it reminded me of my dad's final illness, but his absence in the house next door has left a hole in my heart that may never heal. He is missed every day. Bon voyage, Jim Haley... a fine friend and an even finer man. hank

Gerry Heckler

December 2, 2010

When my wife Amy and I bought our Big Bear cabin, we didn't know what to expect. Our next door neighbor, Jim Haley, with whom we shared a driveway, was this big, stern looking fellow who
was downright intimidating. Amy decided to grab the bull by the horns, however, and go introduce herself. That led to a friendship with Jim and Fran, two of the nicest people and the best neighbors anyone could ever have. If Jim could ever help us in any way, whether it was by checking on our cabin, lending us his tools, or anything else, Jim was there. After we sold our cabin and moved back east, we came back for a visit during Christmas week, 2009. We made it a point to stop by and visit Jim and Fran, an experience that turned out to be the highlight of our trip. Despite his failing health, Jim was ever the gracious host and, when it came time to leave, neither Amy nor I wanted to say good bye. We are both sad that he is gone. We will miss him

Ashlee Haley

December 1, 2010

James Haley, also known to me as Uncle Jim was a wonderful relative to visit. I would spend a month or longer of my summer breaks up in Big Bear with my Uncle and Grandma, who lived with him since 2004. Being of old age, they wouldn't do much, but I still enjoyed the time I was allowed to spend with them. Mostly watching TV in the living room. On November 7, of this year Uncle Jim and Grandma Fran moved in with us in Phelan, where Jim spent his remaining days in a hospital bed.. I was there the day he died, and was told immediately by the hospice man, June. I will miss him greatly. R.I.P. Uncle Jim. I love you.
- Ashlee Haley

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