John Haley, 59, a resident of New Rockford, ND and Sebeka, MN, passed away suddenly, Friday, April 1, 2016, at Tri-County Health Care in Wadena, MN.

John Duane Haley was born January 4, 1957, in New Rockford, the son of Robert and Mary Jane (Zink) Haley.  He was raised on the family farm near McHenry, ND, attending and graduating from Grace City Public School in 1975.

As a toddler, John was stricken with polio and spent over a year of his young life in a Fargo hospital.  He never let his disability stop him from trying anything, whether it be playing basketball or racing cars.  He was fearless and confident and developed a character that was both positive and patient. He was never without a smile on his face or a story or joke to tell.

After high school, John became the proud owner of his first and most favorite car, a 1969 Z-28 Camaro, beginning a long life passion for cars and trucks of all kinds, all of them having to be meticulously clean.  His biggest pet peeve was salt on the roads during winter.

John was a truck driver for all of his life and was always in demand by companies to drive.  He drove for many Fargo companies, eventually realizing his dream of owning his own truck and drove under the name of John Haley Transport.  He drove coast to coast and had many pictures and stories to tell of his travels.  His faithful companion along these trips was his Dachshund dog, Buster, who was more human than canine.  He and Buster made many friends along the way, always running into someone at every truck stop.  He last drove for his nephew, MEK Transport, before retiring from driving for 40 years.

John then spent his time helping his brother Bobby, and nephew Todd on their farms.  He really enjoyed the time with his brother and they were very close friends.  When not working on the farm, he would attend drag races or concerts with his nephew Tim.  He always looked forward to the annual family gathering on the Fourth of July Demo Derby where a lot of Haleys would be busting cars up, including his niece, Colette.  There was never a shortage of mechanics with Todd, Brent, John and Pat.

In 1988, John married Janet Burgau from Sebeka, MN.  Their son Bobby John was born that year and became his pride and joy.  He was so proud of Bobby John’s music and artistic ability and really enjoyed listening to him play.  John also enjoyed playing the guitar and singing.  John and Janet would later divorce, but they remained close best friends to his last day.

John’s sense of humor and laughter will be so missed by his family and friends. There was never a dull moment at family gatherings, especially if he and his niece Brenda starting imitating Saturday Night Live or Little Rascals.

John is survived by his son, Bobby John, Sebeka;  brother Robert Haley Jr., New Rockford, sisters Barbara (Irvin) Loe, McHenry,  Pamela (Kerry) Legarra, Imperial, CA; nephews Todd (Allison) Haley, Brian (Molly) Haley, Brent Haley, Tim (Tanya) Loe, Brady Hoff, Arek Legarra, and nieces Brenda (Jeff) Unterseher, Colette Haley Byrum, Michelle (Jim) Fleming, Denise (Pat) Lies, Kera Legarra, and all of their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Jane and Robert Haley, Sr. and sister-in-law, Delores Haley.

John, you will be forever loved and remembered in our hearts.    

VISITATION:

Thursday 9AM - Service Time, Evans Funeral Home

FUNERAL SERVICE:

Evans Funeral Home, New Rockford, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Thursday, April 7, 2016 at 10:30AM

BURIAL:

Grace City Cemetery, Grace City, ND (at a later date)