PORT O’CONNOR — An angel opened up the book of life and wrote down our baby’s birth. Then before our hearts were ready, God whispered as he closed the book, “He’s too beautiful for earth.” Hunter Michael Hadley, 20, of Port O’Connor, TX, went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday January 27, 2023.

After graduating from Calhoun High School, Hunter worked as a deckhand for Harbor Docking and Towing, docking ships out of the Port of Point Comfort. Taking his next steps towards becoming a Captain of a harbor tug, Hunter recently attended Houston Marine Training where he obtained his Apprentice Mate license.

The thought of Hunter and his contagious giggle puts a smile on your face, and his exuberant life fills us with deep love and compassion. Hunter’s passions ran deep, especially his love of the water. An experienced fisherman, Hunter was known to brag about the one trout on his stringer (even if he did have to wade for 8 hours to catch it). It wasn’t about the quantity of fish caught, but the quality of time spent with those he loved. Hunter was also an avid duck hunter; regardless of the weather, if you said, “Let’s go!” he was already on the boat.

Hunter was a beloved son who always made it a point to invite his family on the boat (only to leave out details like a 4 AM wake-up call). His idea of fun was a wide-open duck blind in the middle of the bay when it’s 40 degrees.

Hunter adored his family and always made time for them. He never missed a chance to send “love you” texts or wrap you in his bear hug. He had a unique way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room.

Hunter did what he loved. He lived passionately. He surrounded himself with the people he loved. Kind-hearted and compassionate, Hunter taught us how to live life to the fullest. But, when you distill the essence, it is love that defines Hunter’s life.

Hunter was preceded in death by great-grandparents, Oswald and Virginia Kirchner, Gerald and Patricia Weathersby and Herman and Winnie Stephens; and grandfather, Raymond Reed.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Ashley Hadley and Kristen and John Reed; siblings, Holton Hadley, Dane Ramsey, Paisley Hadley, Stetson Hadley, Elizabeth Reed and Ethan Reed; the girlfriend he adored, Raygan Snyder; aunts and uncles, Kristin and Louis Ruiz, Bonnie and Jack Glover, Michelle Hadley and Dennis Zimmerman, Earl E. “Peyton” Ellsworth IV, Terisha and Patrick Herrington, Ralph S. and Erika Weathersby, Ashley and Hugh Caldwell III, Ava Schweke, Aurora Weathersby, Kara Dierschke, Ryan Dierschke, Tony Daniel, Tonia and David Meadows and Ryan and Sylver Reed; grandparents, Buster and Peggy Hadley, Ralph Jecker and Ashley Weathersby, Vicki Stephens, Steven and Shelia Dierschke, Danny and Sheri Evins, Toni Praytor Hanson and Linda Reed; and great-grandparents, Anthony and Dorothy Daniel.

Hunter touched the lives of this community. He united us.

A celebration of life was held at the Port O’Connor Community Center on Saturday, February 11, 2023. Serving as pallbearers were Holton Hadley, Leo Click, Sam Thumann, Will Ragusin, Andrew Ragusin, Ricky Dudley, Dayne Rangel, Ronnie Carriles and Trevor Williamson. Honorary pallbearers were McCoy Wagner and Trent Woody. A second memorial on the water was on Sunday, February 12, to release a wreath in Hunter’s favorite fishing spot, Fish Pond.

Nov. 28, 1958 – Jan. 29, 2023
John Lee Scott was born to Pauline Lowe Briggs and John Lawrence Scott. He leaves behind two children: his son Johnny Ray Crowe, and his daughter Julaya Rae Scott, along with seven grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. He also leaves behind stepdaughter Susan Spencer-Cox and his daughter-in-law Yasemin Crowe. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his wife Carla Scot, and his stepson Larry Lee Lester. John had four sisters, Wanda Briggs, Becky Scott, Debbie Fitztgerald and Donna Hodge along with many nieces and nephews.

John graduated High School after joining the U.S. Army and being stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He worked his way up to Sergeant First Class upon retiring after 20 years of service,
He was a hard working man who loved the Lord, his Bible, and his children more than anything in the world.

He earned his pilot’s license in the early 90’s and loved to fly. John had an extensive career as a long-haul truck driver and could operate tons of heavy equipment. John also loved making trips to Seattle, WA. His favorite place to visit was Pike Place Market; he enjoyed walking down the pier and the streets of Seattle. John loved to go to church on Sundays with his girlfriend, Susie, who he dearly loved.

John’s sudden death was a shock to the whole community and he will be dearly missed and loved by many.

A memorial service for John was held Sunday, February 5, 2023, the Rev. Erny McDonough officiating.

VICTORIA — Rayburn Alan Haynie, age 77, passed away on January 29, 2023 at his home in Victoria, Texas, with his wife, Alene, by his side. He was born on July 5, 1945 to Joseph Daniel Haynie and Iva Mae Cunningham Haynie in Victoria, Texas. He married Alene Frels Haynie on July 5, 1975 and they made their home in Seadrift, Texas. The couple had one son, Craig Alan Haynie, who proceeded his father in death on November 26, 2018. Rayburn is also proceeded in death by his parents, his brother, Joseph Daniel Haynie, his brother-in-law, Dean Spells, and his niece, Holly Spells.

In addition to his wife, Rayburn is survived by his sister, Sandra Haynie Spells of Aransas Pass, Texas.

Rayburn was a graduate of Calhoun High School, class of 1963, and attended Victoria College. Rayburn loved the water and enjoyed duck hunting, fishing, shrimping, and water-skiing in his younger years. Later, he owned and operated Haynie’s Seafood, as well as building steel hull shrimp boats, gulf shrimp boats, and oyster boats. In the early 1980’s Rayburn began the large-scale production of Haynie’s Fishing Boats, a shallow draft fishing boat design. The boats were designed, manufactured and sold in Seadrift. In recent years, he sold the business and retired. The various models of Haynie Boats are still very popular. Rayburn also served on the Seadrift City Council for many terms and was Mayor of Seadrift during the 1979 difficult time in Seadrift’s history. Rayburn was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Seadrift and served in various offices on the Church Council. Rayburn and Alene later transferred their membership to First United Methodist Church in downtown Victoria.

Many friends in Seadrift have funny stories and happy memories of their friend “Haynie” and taking trips to the Island, to the rice canals, or to the back bays for camping, fishing and hunting adventures. He will be dearly missed and, no doubt, leaves many tales for repeating by his breakfast-table buddies and his afternoon coffee round-table friends.

In accordance with his wishes, Rayburn will be cremated and there will be no funeral service or visitation. His cremains will be interred in the Seadrift Cemetery in a private graveside service.

For those wishing to do so, memorials may be given in his memory to the Seadrift Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 181, Seadrift, Texas 77983. Share memories and condolences with the family at www.colonialfuneralhomevictoria.com

Perhaps you remember the thrill of getting a pair of new shoes. It was the happiest of days, especially if your old pair looked old and worn. People who work with Sole Mission get to see that joy on the faces of so many children who get a new pair of shoes.

On February 4th Seadrift’s First Assembly of God church hosted Sole Mission to provide area children with a new pair of shoes. This was the third time in a row that the church has invited Sole Mission. The family coming the farthest to get some shoes was from Victoria.

Sole Mission’s founders are Kelly and Alisa Ward. They work under the auspices of the U.S. Missions Department of the Assemblies of God.

Pictured are Gabriel and Anabel Longoria. They were one of many children who came to get a pair of shoes. Sixty-five pairs were given away with the help of eighteen volunteers.

Included with each pair of shoes was a new pair of socks. Thanks to an organization with a heart to help as well.

Beverly Smith, associate pastor of the church, commented on the event by saying, “We just love to see all the joy on children’s faces when they receive a new pair of shoes. We appreciate Sole Mission for providing this vital ministry all over the U.S.”

On February 8th Seadrift city employees were honored with a luncheon and framed pictures of the Seadrift area taken by City Councilman Kenneth Reese. Pictured are some, but not all, of the city’s employees. Mayor Elmer DeForest briefed the group at the luncheon about city projects and there was some Q & A.
-Tanya DeForest