They say legends never die, but all stories come to an end. If you knew Jim, you knew he was both, a legend and an unforgettable story. On January 9, 2026, James Henry Haynes Jr. passed away at the age of 65.

 While the chapters of his life have closed, his story will span generations.Jim was born on December 1, 1960, in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of the late James Henry Haynes Sr. and Diane (Bergman). Though his story began there, Jim never stayed in one place for long. A truck driver by trade and a wanderer by nature, he traveled the country, meeting people from all walks of life, collecting experiences, and leaving his mark wherever he went. In 1989, Jim met Angela, and from that moment on they were inseparable, remaining so even now, separated only by death.Though he spent most of his life in Ohio, Jim could never be defined by a job title. His greatest and most defining role was being an extraordinary husband, father and grandfather. 

He is survived by his devoted wife Angie, six children: James III (Jenna) Haynes, Allison (Randall) Jones, Cheyanne Haynes (Ethan Brownlee), Samantha (Braeden) Tuck, Annalee (Joseph) Roberts, and Joseph Haynes; his eight grandchildren, James IV, Martin, Evelyn, Greyson, Julian, Maverick, Parker, and Jameson; his beloved chihuahua daughter, Lizzy May; his sister, Pamela (Steve) Robbins; sister-in-law, Tammy (Mike) Feyen and brother-in-law, Mike (Carley) Hamilton. Together, they remain living reflections of Jim himself, surrounding and comforting his soulmate, “Adorable Angie,” as she navigates this next chapter alongside them all. Everything Jim touched, every life, every project, every story, turned to gold. He could pick up a new hobby and master it by the end of the week. He built furniture, created art in many forms, worked on cars with his boys, painted nails with his girls, filled the house with music from his guitar, and filled the air with the smell of incredible food. He gardened. He created. He cultivated happiness from scratch. His laughter filled the room and his presence was magnetic. “The end of ol’ Jim” has finally come to pass. Now he is free to paint the sky with every color imaginable. He will be missed fiercely, and his story will continue to live on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to have been in his orbit.