John Nathan Hains

John Nathan Hains was born at Ft. Riley, Kansas, on August 7, 1935, the son of Peter Conover and Ada Averill Hains. Because his father, a West Point graduate, was a career Army officer, John spent much of his childhood and adolescence in foreign countries. When his father was sent to Yugoslavia, John became a boarding student at Landon Prep School in Bethesda, Maryland where he graduated in 1955. He then received his undergraduate college degree at Georgetown University where he was a member of the Army ROTC. Upon graduation he became a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. He took his bride Sue Ellen Peacock from San Antonio, Texas, to the Army Language School in Monterrey, California, where they both studied the Arabic language. Then, they were posted to Frankfurt, Germany, where their daughter Paige Averill Hains was born.

After a honorable discharge as a Captain from the military, he received his Master's Degree from Teacher's College, Columbia University. He taught at private schools in New York and Texas for four years before beginning a thirty year tenure at Suffern High School in Suffern New York. His son, Donaldson Peacock Hains, was born in 1966. Both children attended the same school where John taught.

John began the Advanced Placement (AP) American History course at Suffern High, teaching it for many years. In addition he taught Economics as well as coaching the Varsity tennis, ski, and track teams. He was proud to be involved with the Teachers' Union of Suffern Central School District, helping to make it one of the best public schools in the country.

Upon retirement in 1999, he and Sue Ellen moved to Los Alamos, New Mexico where John pursued his passion for golf and skiing. He also began to explore his creative side: studying the making of micaceous pottery, an art form indigenous to New Mexico. Eventually he exhibited his work at Fuller Lodge Art Center and Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, NM. John thoroughly enjoyed his retirement and his years in New Mexico.

John was predeceased by his brother, Colonel Peter C. Hains, and sister, Ada Lou Waldron.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sue Ellen; his daughter Paige and her partner, Matthew Whiddon; his son Don and his wife Carmelina Hains; his brother Dr. Frederick Hains and his wife, Carolyn Foley; and many nephews and nieces.

He is also survived by his two sisters-in-law: Donna Peacock and Dottie Peacock.

A celebration of John's life will be held in late spring of 2026. In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to Legacy Hospice of New Mexico or the Alzheimer's Association.