John Hailey

(From Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home)

John Hailey, age 73, of Mt. Vernon, Missouri, passed away suddenly Tuesday, December 10, 2019, in his home.

He was born in Southwest Missouri to the late Roy Brown Hailey and Eloise Hailey (née Boyd) on February 11, 1946. He was a graduate of the 1964 Mount Vernon High School class. 

He married the love of his life, Ruth Hailey (née Pennington) on November 6, 1970. They had 48 loving years together before she sadly passed in May 2019. He served admirably and proudly for his country for over 21 years in the finest of the armed services, the United States Navy. He achieved the rank of E-7, Chief Petty Officer, as an Aviation Electrician’s Mate. 

While he was in the Navy, he never set foot upon a ship during his service, instead being in air squadrons (usually working on his beloved P-3 Orion anti-submarine aircrafts). Although he was a squid, he was no lowly pollywog, he was a trusted shellback. 

During his lengthy service and numerous duty stations, he also served in Operation Desert Storm and was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal. He excelled at golf, billiards and trap shooting throughout his life. He loved fishing, quail hunting, and was an avid ham operator (KE0BTZ) as well. His favorite pastime was spoiling his granddaughter Isabella (Izzy), whom he would take shopping or spending time with at every opportunity. He often remarked on her “million-dollar smile”. He and his wife owned J&R Tavern for several years and he was a member of the American Legion. 

He is survived by three daughters, Carrie Sapp, of Wentworth, Missouri, Gina Van Hooser and her husband, Ron, of Azle, Texas, and Mary Ruth (Moof) Donceel of Mt. Vernon; one son, John Hailey, Jr. and fiancé Cindy Bratcher, of Ash Grove, Missouri. He had eight grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren in total. 

John was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth; his parents Roy and Eloise Hailey, his brothers, James B. Hailey, Jay D. Hailey, and his sister Janice Clay; son-in-law Clay Sapp, and grandsons Kevin Stafford and Sam Sapp. He is thoroughly missed already and we will never stop loving him.

A visitation will be held between 1300-1400 hours (1:00-2:00 p.m.) on Saturday, January 4, 2019, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with a funeral service to follow immediately after visitation, at 1400 hours (2:00 p.m.). A private family burial will be held at a later date at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared at www.FossettMosherFuneralHome.com.