Derwood Alexander Haines

Derwood Alexander Haines (Woody), 1/20/1935-10/2/2023. Born in Luray, Virginia on January 20th, 1935, Woody was the 2nd of 12 children of William and Ethyl Haines. As a child, he was especially close to his older brother, William Haines, Jr. Always an excellent student, Woody was industrious even as a young person, working as a cook and dishwasher in area restaurants and mowing lawns. He was an outstanding athlete as well, first earning notice of his peers and local adults as a baseball stand out at shortstop and first base. A favorite middle school teacher recognized his academic potential, and recommended him for admission at a private boarding school in Manassas (Va.). At Manassas, days of which he always spoke fondly, he excelled at football as an offensive and defensive end, and played center on the basketball team. He was especially proud of his deadly hook shot, which he could shoot equally well with either hand, a skill he acquired after seeing it in a magazine article when he was an eighth grader. As a student, only a “B” in penmanship kept him from being valedictorian. During his high school years, Woody set his career goal, which was to be a newspaper reporter. Lacking the means to attend college immediately after high school, he joined the Army in 1953 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant in 1956. Through his service, he earned the benefits toward continuing education supplied by the GI Bill. He had opportunities to play football at the University of Hawaii, Montana State University, and Michigan State University, and chose Michigan State. His football career was cut short by an ankle injury late in his freshman year. He graduated with a B.A. in Journalism in 1960. While at Michigan State, Woody met Barbara Viera of Bay City (MI). Their 63 years of marriage began July 23rd, 1960. Woody became as close to Barbara’s family, which included five brothers and a sister, as he was to his own. He began his career as a reporter in upstate New York, working for the newspapers in Catskill and Kingston. During these years, Woody and Barbara had their first and only child, Derwood, Jr. Shortly after, Woody was hired by a larger newspaper, the Gary Post Tribune, and the family moved to Indiana. During his time at the Post Tribune, Woody was a lead reporter, covering some of the most turbulent and transitional times in our nation’s history, including reporting on Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech at the Mall in Washington, D.C. and Bobby Kennedy’s legendary 1968 speech in Indianapolis. He successfully transitioned to writing television news for the local ABC affiliate in Chicago in late 1968. In November of 1969, the family moved to Detroit when Woody joined the Public Relations Department at Ford Motor Company. He would stay with Ford for the next 29 years, retiring in 1998. Coinciding with his love of sports, Woody loved games as well. Through the years, we played literally thousands of games of Yahtzee, Monopoly, Backgammon, and Gin Rummy. He was a world class card player, and travelled North America playing bridge in top level competition, acquiring the rank of Life Master. He also acquired a love of horse racing while in the Army, and made a yearly pilgrimage to Saratoga, America’s oldest race course and his favorite vacation place. He took up tennis during the Indiana years, and played at a high level through his 80s. At 82, he rehabilitated from a knee injury in order to continue playing, just another example of his will and determination Woody’s other great love was of family. He drove back to Virginia every summer, and stayed current with the doings of his siblings and their families. He was especially close to his younger sister Ethyl, though they were separated by many years, and it was she who was central in coordinating the reunions for his visits. Through his life, it was also important for him to return home regularly as long as he was able; and even when he was not, conversation about life in Virginia remained a favorite topic. Woody also loved the Viera family events as well, where his big personality was a perfect fit. Living his life far from where he grew up, it meant everything to him to be taken in by the Vieras as one of their own. A favorite event every year was the seafood themed Christmas Eve party that he and Barbara hosted, featuring Woody’s fried oysters. He also had a special place in his heart for his daughter-in-law Theresa, who he adored from the first time they met, and remarked countless times on his profound admiration of her as person, and as a parent and step parent of his grandchildren. In retirement, Woody was a three sport official, football, basketball, and baseball. He was devoted to watching college basketball, and probably watched every Michigan State game of the last 45 years. But his biggest joy during those years was watching his three grandchildren, Alex (Derwood III), Redding, and Roan, participate in sports, which were multiple and year round. He never missed any of their events, and nothing made him happier. He was most proud of the people they’ve become, and the greatest fruition of the plan that he made when he started out. Woody is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, son and daughter-in law, Derwood Jr. and Theresa Haines, grandchildren Alex (Derwood III), Redding, and Roan Haines, sisters Ethyl Cooper and Carrie Hall, brothers, Robert, George, and Charles Haines. Woody was a big man, with a big voice, and a deep, roaring laugh. He loved life and was cheerful as much as it is humanly possible to be. He will be remembered for how good he made the people around him feel. In honor of Woody, please consider making a contribution to the Detroit Police Athletic League, where he volunteered as a baseball coach, at www.detroitpal.org.

Derwood Alexander Haines

January 20, 1935 - October 2, 2023