HARRY W. HAINES, JR., longtime Houstonian passed away Monday, June 12, 2000 in Montgomery, Alabama.

Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Harry graduated from New Mexico Military Institute Junior College in 1942, and then served during WWII as a Second Lieutenant in Europe with the 737th Tank Battalion (Third Army). He received a BS degree in Chemical Engineering with honors from the University of Illinois in 1947 and an MS degree in Chemical Engineering with honors from the University of Pittsburgh in 1952. Harry did research at the Mellon Institute of Industrial Research, designing chemical plants at Vulcan-Cincinnati, Inc. and selling engineering construction services for Walter Kiddie Constructors Inc.

In 1953 Harry married his wife of 46 years. Harry founded Haines & Associates, Inc. In 1960, his various assignments and engineering projects helped build Houston's Post-war petrochemical economy. He later accepted a position with Litwin Engineers and Constructors, Inc. working with Jacobs Engineering before retiring. In his retirement years, he developed a keen interest in military history, especially WWII, traveling many times to Europe to re-visit sites and interview local historians. An invaluable contribution was his work to the 737th Tank Battalion and the 5th Division in helping to locate lost members. He assisted in the compilation of lost records, reuniting lost members, and organization of military service member's reunions. He made many friends and contacts here in the U.S. and overseas.

Instrumental in working with Lieutenant Colonel Mark J. Reardon in writing a book about the Battle of Mortain, France coming to publication later this year. Harry was a lifetime member of the NRA, Houston Chamber of Commerce, Bayou Rifles Inc., serving as pistol division chairman, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the Sigma Delta Chi Professional Journalistic Fraternity. Harry is survived by wife, Lynne Troy Haines; children, Harry William Haines III, Holly Rima Haines, and Dana Lee Haines. The family will receive friends between the hours of 6:00-8:00 P.M. on Tuesday, June 20, 2000 at Forest Park Westheimer Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Wednesday, June 21, 2000 at 12:30 P.M. in the Chapel of Forest Park Westheimer Funeral home with Rev. M. Eugene Vickrey officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.