John E. Hasley

At the age of 18 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he climbed the ranks to reach Staff Sergeant before deciding to go to college so that he could be commissioned. He earned his MS in Business Administration and received his bachelor’s in computer engineering and then went on to Officer Training School after which he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. At some point he ended up in the RAF Bentwaters, where he met Ina Lee (Thomas) Hasley, they soon married and had children. John served 23 years in the Air Force, with distinction retiring at the rank of Captain. He went on to have a second career working for L.A. County as an appraiser, tried his hand at politics and became a successful business owner, all the while raising a successful family.

John’s proudest moment was when his eyes were opened by the Lord. He was a member of the Church of Israel and the NAACP, he enjoyed basketball, small maintenance projects and playing solitaire. “He told me a story about how his father wasn’t there for him growing up. He told me that his mother said, “Go see your father.” So he did. He told me that the only reason he decided to meet him was because his mother never spoke ill of him. So, he met up with his father and was glad he did because a lot of things that didn’t make sense to him about himself became clear. A lot of questions that he had about himself were answered. He said his father passed away shortly after they’d met but he thanked God that he went to see him that day. I’ll never forget that story. It is so important to have both parents in your life. I don’t think any of us would be who we are and where we are today without that constant presence. I know I am who and where I am thanks to my father and mother.”

John is preceded in death by his father Johnie Lee Hasley and mother Vade Mae (Carter) Abram, brothers William Charles Hasley and Robert Abram.

He is survived by his children, Dion Jones of Shreveport, Louisiana, Timothy Christopher and wife Sandra Herrera Hasley of Grand Prairie, Texas, Terry Clifton and Jerita DeShawn Hasley, brothers Rickey and wife Araceli Hasley of Dallas, Texas, Kenny Haslip and wife Annie Haslip of Altadena, California, Bobbie and wife Elise Abram Memphis, Tennessee, Tony and wife Linda Abram of Las Vegas, Nevada, Tracy Abram of Pasadena, California and sister Mary Sue Everett of Buffalo, New York, two grandchildren, Nautica Alexa Hasley and Eden Elise Moore-Hasley, and a host of family and friends.