Wayne Haas

Tupelo - John Wayne Haas, 93, died Thursday, September 13, 2018, at his residence. A life-long resident of Tupelo, he was born February 27, 1925, to Rev. James Melvin and Gracie Reese Haas. Early in life, he served his country honorably in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1947, he married Reba Armstrong and together they raised four children until her death in 1982. In 1983, he married Jo Whitt and together they shared life until her death in 2016. Wayne retired as a supervisor from Day-Brite in 1987. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wayne had a passion for farming and raising animals especially dogs and exotic birds. He was a long-time active member of Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church where he served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher and was also very active with Gideons International for many years.



Survivors include four children, Billy Haas and his wife, Rose of Tupelo, Linda Johnson and her husband, Mark of Birmingham, Alabama, Joahn Summers and her husband, Stacy of Tupelo and Vickie Avara and her husband, Gary of Frisco, Texas; two step children, LaJuana Whitley and Joey Whitt; 10 grandchildren, Brian O'Connor and his wife, Jeri Lee of Austin, Texas, Brennan O'Connor and his wife, Amanda of Nashville, Tennessee, Rosanne Wood and her husband, Joe of Washington, DC, Austin Johnson of Boston, Massachusetts, Reba Stokes and her husband, Chris of Birmingham, Rev. Wayne Campbell and his wife, Brittany of West Kelowna, Canada, Anthony Campbell of Guntown, Christina Campbell of Jackson, James Avara and his wife, Ali of Austin, and Alisha Avara of Frisco; one step-granddaughter, Kellis Whitt; 12 great-grandchildren; one brother, Rev. Joe Haas and his wife, Barbara of France; and numerous nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. James Melvin and Gracie Reese Haas; his first wife of 35 years, Reba Haas; his second wife of over 30 years, Jo Whitt Haas; one grandson, Ike Campbell; and nine siblings.



Services will be 1 p.m. Monday, September 17, 2018, at Tupelo Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Terry Pierce and Rev. Wayne Campbell officiating. Burial will be in Priceville Cemetery. W.E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.



Visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday, September 16, 2018, at W. E. Pegues, Tupelo and will continue Monday from 12 p.m. until service time at the church.



Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Wayne Campbell, Anthony Campbell, Austin Johnson and James Avara.



Memorials may be made to The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251 Washington, DC 20090.

Expressions of sympathy may be left at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .