Jack D. Haley, Salina, was born April 10, 1923 in Bennington, Kansas to Marshall and Lucille (McKay) Haley. Jack died Friday, March 23, 2012 at the Salina Regional Health Center. He graduated from Bennington High School and attended Kansas Weslyan University for one semester. Jack joined the U.S. Air Force and received his pilot wings in multi-engine aircraft.

After WWII, Jack attended the College of Mortuary Science and later owned and operated funeral homes in Glasco and Minneapolis, Kansas. Jack had a love of quarter horses and devoted his passion to owning and breeding exceptional bloodlines.

Jack was appointed to the former Kansas Fish and Game Commission by Gov. Robert Docking, serving as Chairman for several years. The most rewarding thing to Jack was that the Youth Hunter Safety Program was started in Kansas during his tenure on the Commission. He was also instrumental in implementing fish cleaning stations throughout Kansas and the peers at Ottawa County Fishing Lake. He also was instrumental in cleaning and revitalizing the strip mines at Pittsburgh Kansas for fishing. During the Carter Administration, Jack served in the U.S. Department of Interior's Fish and Wildlife Division in public affairs for Under Secretary Dick Wetterson in Washington, D.C., and the agency's Youth Services in Denver, Colorado. Jack retired from a field position with the former Kansas Energy Commission. After retirement, Jack became involved with the Salina Barbershop Chorus and Quartets.

Jack's career, pastimes and political involvement afforded him the opportunity to meet and spend time with many unique and interesting people including Happy Rockefeller, Govenors Fred Hall, Robert Docking, and Kathleen Sebelius, President Jimmy Carter, Miss Lillian Carter, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, Senator Ted Kennedy, and President Harry Truman and wife Bess.

Jack enjoyed many, many strong friendships with people in Glasco, Minneapolis, across Kansas, Colorado and the nation. In his spare time, he enjoyed spending evenings, sharing dinner, attending dances, camping, fishing and hunting with those friends. However, the most rewarding thing in Jack's life was that he was able to help a dear friend who suffered from a very rare and debilitating disease locate a doctor able to treat her, allowing her to live a full life.

Jack is survived by daughter Lynn (David) Rasmussen of Ely, MN and sons Steve (Heather) of Bennington KS and Mike of Flippin, AR; four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two nieces, great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by wife Lois, his parents, and sister, Donna (James) Richardson.

It was Jack's wishes to be cremated. Memorial graveside services will be at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday at the Bennington Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will follow the service at the Bennington Fire Department. Friends may sign the register book at the Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis from 1 P.M. to 5 P.M. Monday. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Bennington Fire Department.