J. DONALD HANEY Obituary

Don Haney's rich, varied, and altogether praiseworthy life came to an end on Thursday, December 11th, 2008 when he passed away peacefully at home at the age of 97. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to John T. and Allie Heidelberg Haney on October 7, 1911. Don graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School in 1929 and received his B.A. from Colorado College in 1933. He played in Johnny Metzler's Orchestra Dance Band at the Broadmoor Hotel and other professional dance bands before deciding on a career in law. Don graduated from the University of Colorado Law School in 1937 and practiced law in Colorado Springs for nearly half a century, first with his father, brother William, Irving Howbert, Byron Akers and others, retiring in 1985 after the partnership merged with Holland & Hart. Don Haney believed in the highest standards of the law, and conducted his practice accordingly. He sought justice, and cared little for either wealth or public acclaim. In World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. His life spanned much of the modern history of this city. As a young man, he rode the city's trolley system from the Broadmoor, where his parents lived, to the North End, to court the beautiful young woman who became his wife of 54 years, Gratia Belle Blackman. And he was such an ardent suitor that, one chilly evening, he missed the last trolley and had to walk home at 3 AM! They were devoted to their children and grandchildren and to working for the benefit of the larger community. When Stephen was born in 1953 with Down syndrome, they cared for him at home for years instead of warehousing their infant in an institution, the then-prevalent practice. That led to a life-long advocacy for the rights of the differently-abled. With other parents they founded the El Paso County Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) and other organizations. Don was instrumental in bringing Martin Luther Homes (now Mosaic) here where Steve was wonderfully cared for. Don also served on many boards and was a past president of the El Paso County Bar Association, The Colorado College National Alumni Association, Boys Club, and Winter Night Club. In recognition of his humanitarian service, Mosaic named Don Haney its National Person of the Year in 1997 and Colorado College awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2006. Don's generous and loving spirit is remembered by his sister, Mary Lochridge (John) and sister-in-law, Jule Haney (widow of James); by his children: Suellen McAndrews (Robert), John Haney (Betty), Jeffrey Haney, all of Colorado Springs, Gigi Walker (Johnny), Steamboat Springs, Peter Haney, Fort Collins; by his grandchildren: Kamara Gallagher (Ed) , Colorado Springs, Chugrad McAndrews (Judy), Richmond, CA, Laura Haney (Matt McTigue), Portland, OR, Chula Beauregard (Cactus), Steamboat Springs, Janet Melton (Rob), Vancouver, WA, Josie Litchfield (Dan), Greenville, CA; by five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his brothers William and James, his sister Helen Hillhouse Nelson, and his son Stephen. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Thursday, December 18th, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 2318 North Cascade, Colorado Springs. Friends and family are invited to the mass and/or reception as their health and schedules permit. Directions to the reception will be available at the church or by calling 634-3289. Contributions can be made to the Stephen S. Haney Endowment Fund, in care of Mosaic, 4980 S. 118th St., Omaha NE 68137.