J. Carl Haley

J. Carl Haley, age 86, passed away July 9, 2014 at his home in Paola, Kansas. Carl was born February 25, 1928, to Harrison and Emma Haley, at Micawber, Oklahoma. His father died in 1932 and his mother died in 1977. Carl was reared and went to school in Okemah, Oklahoma. In May of 1946, he enlisted in the service with Battery B 4th FA Bn RTC and then was discharged to enlist into the regular Army to serve 18 months. During that service time he was assigned to the 521st Engineer Construction Battalion in Seoul, Korea, for four months, serving 12 months as tech 5 cook. He received his honorable discharge October 28, 1947. He returned to Okemah to work until moving to Paola in 1949. He made his home with his sister, Mary and her husband, Chuck Hollinsworth and was employed by Elmer Hagemeyer as maintenance man for the swimming pool and the Pla-Mart dance hall. He married Mildred Greagoff-Hart on August 5, 1951, at Paola United Methodist Church. Carl was employed by Miami County Highway Dept. from 1951 until the fall of 1952 when he was hired by Phillips Pipe Line Company terminal in Paola, Kansas, retiring in 1985 as Supervisor of the mechanical crew. He coached American Legion Little League baseball and helped with Cub Scouts in the early 1960"s. His hobbies included fishing and hunting, bowling with Phillips Pipe Line league tournaments at Bartlesville, Oklahoma and various Paola teams, and RV-ing with family, friends and the Three Trails Camping Club of Olathe. He encountered and made many happy and fun memories with family and friends along life"s way. After retirement, Carl and Mildred were able to make their "dream trip" to Alaska to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary and enjoyed retirement with numerous travel trips to other states, areas, and points of interests. Wintering in Arizona was a favored annual trip until macular degeneration claimed his eyesight in 2006 and he became legally blind and no longer able to drive. Carl was one of six children " three brothers, Sam, Albert and Dan and one sister, Lorene are deceased. Carl is survived by an older sister, Mary Hollinsworth-Wilson of Smithville, TX. His immediate survivors are his wife, Mildred, of the home; children, Kay Gedminas (Jim) of Kansas City, KS, Stephen Haley (Debra) of southern CA, Monica Bickerstaff (L.D.) of Perrin, TX; grandchildren, Justin Jarsulic (Erin) of Lee"s Summit, MO, Tony Gedminas of Tulsa, OK, Leslie Gedminas of Kansas City, MO, Kyleen McGovern (Brad) of Napa Valley, CA, Nathan Haley of Lawrence, KS, Krista Sherman (Tony) of Shawnee, KS; and great grandchildren, Bailey Jarsulic, Josie Jarsulic, Molly McGovern and Rory McGovern. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions to Paola United Methodist Church, Paola American Legion Post 156 or Paola Lions Club Sight Preservation. Private inurnment service will be at Hillsdale Cemetery, Hillsdale, KS. To share a memory of Carl or leave a special condolence message for his family, please click the Share Memories button above.