James Paul Haley (Pops) Sr.

James Paul Haley, Sr. was born on March 28, 1936 in Neches, TX. He was the second child of eleven born (and eldest male) to the late James Matthew Haley and Izaner (Taylor) Haley. He attended public school and graduated from Clemons High School. Shortly thereafter he moved to San Antonio, TX to live with his grandmother the late Ioner (Holloway) Taylor.  

While living in San Antonio, James met Barbara Pearl Henry. They dated for several years and then married in 1960 and began their family. To this union were born five children: James Paul Haley, Jr.; Clifton Erwin Haley; Jacqueline Yvette (Haley) Miller; Donald Ray Haley; and Rachel Nell (Haley) Mitchell.  

James was baptized into Christ as a teenager. He was a faithful member at Laurel Street church of Christ, and always put the Lord first. He served in many capacities during worship (prayer, communion, reading of scripture, or usher) and as building maintenance (until the task was outsourced). James financially supported School Road Church of Christ, where he grew up in Neches, TX, to ensure the local community retained a place to worship.  

James interest included reading the bible, spending time with family, and gardening. James often shared the fruits of his labor (tomatoes, cucumbers, okra, limes, oranges, etc.) with family and fellow church members. In his later years, he would go to till the ground for his gardening and then end up sitting down resting before finishing. He was affectionally known as a “weather man” – predicting when was the best time to plant, fertilize his yard, or travel to get ahead of a storm. James was also a “jack of trades” and often called upon to help fix or install things from electrical, plumbing, or mechanical. 

James worked many jobs to provide for his family. One memorable event from his job, was his work at Purlator Armored Car Services. While working for Purlator, a man attempted to rob him at gun point when he was returning to his truck. James was able to outsmart the robber by hitting him upside the head with the bag of coins he was carrying. He was hailed a hero and written about in the local paper. After leaving Purlator, he began truck driving for Trimax (Quality Tank Lines, Inc.). After working there for 37 years, he retired in 2022 at the age of 86. 

In November 2023, he was hospitalized with health concerns. Upon being released from the hospital, and after several trips back and forth for appointments, his health continued to decline. Needing additional care and someone to look after him, his granddaughter Jelisa Denise Miller accepted the role of being his caregiver. Jelisa (a Nurse by trade) cared for her grandfather 5 days a week, along with the Opus Hospice Care Team, until he departed this world on March 27th.  

James was preceded in death by his beautiful wife Barbara Pearl (Henry) Haley on November 2, 2016; his parents James Matthew & Izaner Haley; and six siblings (Jessie Lee Haley, Addie Lee Wilson, Jossie Ann Gaston, Hoyt Clyde Haley, Sr., Lue V. Collier, and Prince Ella Haley). He leaves behind to cherish a lifetime of wonderful memories his five children: James Paul Haley, Jr.; Clifton Erwin Haley (Sigrid); Jacqueline Yvette Miller (Ronald); Donald Ray Haley (Delores); and Rachel Nell Mitchell; sixteen grandchildren: James V. Haley, Jolina M. Haley, Domonique D. Haley, Ethan L. Haley, Tiffany J. Adams, Felisha N. Valles (Alex), Latisha D. Haley, Melissa Y. Haley, Ronald J. Miller, Jr. (Kimberly), Ryan A. Miller (Sandrea), Jelisa D. Miller, Donjay N. Haley, Aaliyah R. Haley, Imani K. Haley, Mia L. Friday (Anson), and Marcus J. Mitchell; and twenty great grandchildren; his brother Roy Lee Haley (wife Mildred) of Suwanee, GA; sister’s Nadine Lampkin, Othela L. Vasher, and Betty J. Webb of Neches, TX; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends