Donald Keith Haynes, M.D., born August 29, 1933, to Milo Jesless and Gladys Trichel Haynes in Lisbon, Louisiana, and known affectionately to the people of Claiborne Parish as Dr. D. K., passed away peacefully on August 2, 2023, surrounded by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, at a place he loved dearly and spent much of his extraordinary life, Claiborne Memorial Medical Center in Homer, Louisiana.

He is preceded in death by his parents, three older brothers, Dr. Lavelle Haynes, Dr. Glen Haynes, and Joe Haynes, and his ever-constant and loving wife of 56 years, Carolyn Kimbell Haynes, having married on August 14, 1954. He is survived by his five children: Dr. Mark Haynes (Tracey), of Homer, Keitha Gardiner, (Dr. Lonnie) of Alpharetta, Georgia, Lisa Thompson (Noble) of Benton, Dr. John Haynes (Dr. Monica) of Shreveport, and Dr. Scott Haynes (Dr. Maria) of Homer; sixteen grandchildren: Amanda Robichaux (Nicholas) of Baton Rouge, David Haynes (Mary-Frances) of Shreveport, Laurie Lanham (Shane) of Cumming, Georgia, Brooke Gardiner of Alpharetta, Georgia, Kevin Gardiner (Kelsey) of Atlanta, Georgia, Trey Thompson (Christina) of Benton, Matthew Thompson (Kimberly) of Benton, Taylor Haskell (Ryan) of Benton, Francie Haynes (fiancé Wiley Stidham) of Nashville, Tennessee, Caroline Haynes, Patrick Haynes, and Nicholas Haynes of Shreveport, Emily LaBiche (Drew) of Houston, Madelyn Haynes (fiancé Will Mathews) of Baton Rouge, William Haynes of Shreveport, and John Henry Haynes of Homer; thirteen great-grandchildren: Vivienne and Miller Robichaux of Baton Rouge, Henry and Wyatt Haynes of Shreveport, Avery Claire, Evangeline, Caroline, and Haynes Lanham of Cumming, Georgia, Elet Robinson of Alpharetta, Georgia, Dawson and Riley Thompson of Benton, Olivia Thompson of Benton, Daisy Haskell of Benton, and two more on the way; his dear friend, Cherry Lynn Sanders of Haynesville, and his beloved cat, Joe Burreaux.

Dr. Haynes was born a child of The Great Depression at the home of his parents in Lisbon, Louisiana, where he would later meet the love of his life, Carolyn, when they were just children. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1951, completed his undergraduate studies at Louisiana Tech University in three years, and was then admitted to LSU Medical School in New Orleans. He graduated from medical school in 1958 then interned at Confederate Memorial Hospital in Shreveport. After completing his internship year, he took a residency in General Medicine in Lafayette. He completed his residency and began his nearly 60-year career in private practice in Homer, joining Drs. James and Pat Gladney and Dr. E. A. Campbell at the newly named Campbell-Gladney-Haynes Clinic. Through this capacity, he also worked at Homer Memorial Hospital, now Claiborne Memorial Medical Center, where he assumed various roles, including serving on the hospital board and as Chief of Staff for many years. Dr. Haynes was elected Coroner of Claiborne Parish in 1969 and retained this position for 47 years. He further served his community by working at the Claiborne Parish Health Unit for over 40 years. He was the medical director of Presbyterian Village Nursing Home for many years and enjoyed visiting with and caring for the residents. He was a charter diplomate of the American Board of Family Medicine from its inception in 1970 and was a long-time officer of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He was honored as the Louisiana Family Practice Doctor of the Year in 1984. Dr. Haynes was joined by his oldest son, Dr. Mark, in 1987, and his

youngest son, Dr. Scott, in 2000, in what would become Claiborne Family Medical Clinic. Undoubtedly one of his greatest joys in life was to have the opportunity to share in the practice of medicine with his children. He was also thrilled that his grandson William would be following in the family tradition. Lovingly known as Granddaddy, he was immensely proud of all of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them.

Dr. Haynes loved the practice of medicine, the intellectual challenges that it afforded him, and the chance to serve God and his community in a very humble and diligent fashion. He truly considered it a privilege to care for the people of Claiborne Parish. He was also a mentor to countless blooming physicians, now practicing throughout Louisiana and beyond, through his nearly 40 years of service as a clinical instructor in the Comprehensive Care Clinic at LSU School of Medicine in Shreveport. He was one of the most beloved preceptors, and upon his retirement, he was granted the degree of Professor Emeritus. He also participated in the AHEC Rural Preceptorship Program, inviting many medical students into his practice and home for months at a time. He was truly an old-time doctor, delivering countless babies that would be contemporaries and friends of his children, performing surgeries major and minor, taking care of everything from acute appendicitis to regular old colds, and even removing the occasional angel food cake pan from around a child’s head or retrieving items stuck up the noses of children (perhaps even children of his own). Dr. Haynes was instrumental in the founding of Claiborne Academy in Haynesville, Louisiana, and has had a child or grandchild in school there since its inception. He has proudly served on the Claiborne Academy Board of Directors and was the football team physician for many, many years. He was a life-long fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and especially players Stan Musial and Yadier Molina. He also loved his LSU Tigers and never missed a chance to watch their games on TV. He was an avid reader, completed a daily crossword puzzle, watched Jeopardy every weekday, enjoyed traveling in his younger days, and loved music, especially church hymns and Elvis Presley.

He had a playful sense of humor and loved to tease in a warm and loving way, always quick with a smile and generous and humble to a fault. Dr. Haynes was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Homer and continued to go every Sunday until quite recently. He was a quiet and steadfast man of God who demonstrated his unwavering faith in the best way he knew how – by serving others and showing kindness and compassion every single day of his life. He was an extraordinary man yet still possessed a grounded sense of humility and a distinctly calm demeanor no matter the circumstances. He will be greatly missed, and his memory will be cherished by many.

The family would like to express a special thanks to Lisa Ford and the sincere care she provided to both our mother and father. We would also like to thank Dr. Cliff Salmon, the nurses and staff of the ICU, and each and every employee of Claiborne Memorial Medical Center.

Many thanks also to all of the employees of Claiborne Family Medical Clinic, both past and present. You all embody the definition of a family, and we will forever be grateful for your love, loyalty, and your dedication to our dear father.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Homer with the family receiving visitors at 9:00 A.M. followed by a memorial service at 10:00 A.M. Interment will be at Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Lisbon. Pallbearers will be David Haynes, Nicholas Robichaux, Kevin Gardiner, Shane Lanham, Trey Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Ryan Haskell, Patrick Haynes, Nicholas Haynes, Wiley Stidham, William Haynes, John Henry Haynes, Drew LaBiche, and Will Mathews.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Claiborne Academy, Claiborne Memorial Medical Center Foundation, LSU Health Sciences Foundation Shreveport, Rocky Springs Baptist Church, or First Baptist Church of Homer.

Rose-Neath Funeral Home

Homer Chapel  (318) 927-6110