Eldon "Sonny" Ray Haynes Jr.

Eldon Ray “Sonny” Haynes Jr, age 78, of Heber Springs, Arkansas passed away on Sunday, October, 9 2022. Sonny was born in San Antonio, Texas to the late Eldon Ray Sr. and Allie May Connelly Haynes. He was a US Air Force Veteran.

Sonny grew up on the baseball fields. He graduated high school from Central Catholic, San Antonio in 1961 and received a baseball scholarship to play for the University of Dallas. While at the University, he met his wife Katie, and spent his college years catching and playing 3rd base for the UD Crusaders. He graduated in 1965 and later joined the United States Air Force where he began his career as a pilot flying the KC-135 in the Strategic Air Command. He spent one tour in Vietnam flying the OV-10 Bronco where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1975, Sonny began his career at FedEx. Over the years, he flew numerous aircraft beginning with the Falcon and ending with the MD-11 before he retired in 2001. After retirement, he settled into a beautiful view of Greers Ferry Lake. When he wasn’t enjoying the view, he spent his time hunting at his duck club in Stuttgart, Arkansas, playing golf and poker with his friends, and being an avid sports fan. He loved watching sports, especially Razorback baseball. One of his biggest pleasures in life surrounded the achievements of his grandkids.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Frank Haynes. He is survived by his wife Ellen “Katie” Haynes of 57 years; his son, Robert F Haynes (Jennifer) of Booneville, Arkansas; his daughter, Tharen Michelle French (Ian) of Greenbrier, Arkansas; nine grandchildren, Robert Haynes Jr. (Hailey), Allee Yingling (Luis), Sammy Haynes, Mary Haynes, Lily Haynes, Lucy Haynes, Blake French, Nicholas French and Jaxson French; two great-grandchildren, Camila Clare Yingling and Kimberly Grace Haynes. He is also survived by three siblings, Myrt Ott (David), Tim Haynes (Mary), and Paul Haynes (Susan), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation; t2t.org.

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