Jim Haney

Jim was the first son and third child of the late Otis Andrew Haney and Viola Bernice (Baker) Haney. He spent his early years roaming the hills of Washita, Oklahoma where his father worked at Public Service Company’s Southwest Station. Many happy hours were spent fishing or skiing at Lake Washita. He graduated from Anadarko High School. He loved baseball and was a Catcher for the American Legion Team. After graduation, he attended Southwestern State College in Weatherford until he found his true Vocation, Firefighting. He began his career in 1971 with the Oklahoma City Fire Department. In 1975, he was E.M.T. Certified. He moved up the ranks to Engine Driver, Captain, Fire Department Instructor, and was Major from 1991 until his retirement in 1998. His fire crew was the first on scene at the Children’s Day Care Center on the day of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing on April 19, 1995. When this occurred, Jim was 44 years old, the same age as his son is now. Nineteen children died in the Murrah Building’s Collapse. This was a defining moment in his life. Jim was a member of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the Oklahoma City Retired Firefighters Association.

Following retirement, Jim moved to his lake home in Garfield, Arkansas. His favorite days were spent fishing on his boat on Beaver Lake. Even now, we envision Jim floating peacefully on Beaver Lake free from pain and suffering to shores we cannot see.

Jim, like his father, was a “storyteller”. His favorite tales involved he and his dad doing electrical work… without his dad turning off the power. Jim’s lake stories were about his encounters and failed attempts to keep the lake squirrels out of his attic. In the attic’s face to face match, the squirrels always won.

Jim was a devoted public servant, a saver of lives, a good neighbor, loyal friend, and a father who loved, worried, and prayed for his children and grandchildren. During his life, Jim had love and lost love many times. We give thanks to his wives who helped him along life’s journey. We give thanks to his first love who brought to our family Cherice Haney, Andrea (Haney) Rhodes, and Jacob Haney. We still mourn the loss of Cherice (2016) and Andy (2023).

Jim is survived by his Son, Jacob James Haney, his granddaughter, Rachel Rhodes, his grandsons, Daniel and Michael Rhodes, his brother Tommy Haney (Debbie), his Sisters Linda Feltz (Paul), Frances Zerger (Waldo), and Lisa Davenport (Dan), his nieces, Anne Jacobs (Noel) and Charity Middleton and nephews Glen Harrison (Janice), Brian Zerger (Susan), and Casey Haney.

Our family’s appreciation to the loving staff at Rogers Highlands Oncology Center, Hope Ride Share, Mercy Wound Care, Mercy Home Care, and Beaver Lake Neighbors. Your many acts of kindness made this journey lighter.

Family and Friends are welcome to attend Jim’s Memorial Service which will be held on Saturday, October 21st at 10:00 a.m. at Baggerley Funeral Home, 930 S. Broadway, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034. Friends are also welcome at Jim’s Burial Service at Memory Lane Cemetery, 2324 South Mission Street, Anadarko, Oklahoma 73005. That service will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Memorial donations, in Jim Haney’s honor, may be made to the Oklahoma Firefighters’ Memorial, 2716 N.E. 50th St., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.baggerley.com for the Haney family.