John Russell Haenes Sr.

John Russell Haenes Sr., retired chief of police for Lakeside, passed away after a long battle with kidney disease at the age of 68 on Monday, June 22, 2015.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at River Oaks United Methodist Church.

As a recipient of an organ donation, John was extremely passionate about the gift of life and appreciative of the additional time he received due to a stranger’s kindness. John would encourage everyone to “skip the flowers” and sign up to be an organ donor instead.

A U.S. Air Force veteran, public servant, caring father and devoted husband, John put family, country and community first. He was known to loved ones, colleagues and strangers alike as an extraordinary man who displayed not only an admirable sense of civic duty but also an affable charm and unforgettable sense of humor.

Born in Dowagiac, Michigan, on November 16, 1946, John was reared in South Bend, Indiana, where he met his high school sweetheart, wife and the love of his life of 48 years, Judith Byler Haenes. John proudly served in the military for 20 years, followed by 17 years of around-the-clock responsibilities as chief of police for the town of Lakeside.

After retirement, John continued his faithful public service as a reserve with the Tarrant County Constable’s Office. A devoted and faithful member of River Oaks United Methodist Church for 30 years, John served numerous roles in the church he loved, including, most recently, chairman of trustees. Those who knew “Pop” well would say he owed much of his happiness to being an active part of his seven grandchildren’s lives.

He is survived by his wife, Judith of Lakeside; children, Dawn Boswell, John Haenes II, Julie Jacobson and James Haenes; grandchildren, Amanda, Andrew and Brendan Jacobson, Bailey Moore, Matt Shoenfeld and Hayden and John Haenes III; mother, Henrietta Haenes; brother, Bruce Haenes of South Bend, Indiana; and siblings, Ray Olsen and Mary Lou Kimball of Michigan.