Don H. Janes

JANES, DON H. Don H. Janes, 77 of Waco, entered into eternal life on Tuesday, October 26, 2004. A memorial service will be held at 3pm Friday, October 29 at Central Christian Church, 4901 Lake Shore Drive, with Reverend Steven L. Mansen officiating. Mr. Janes was born in Falls County, Texas, on February 28, 1927, to Mary Ada Grisham Janes and Ulysses S. Janes. After completing his education, he served in the Texas Defense Guard and United States Coast Guard where he injured his back aboard ship. After being informed he would never walk again, he rehabilitated himself and miraculously walked on his mother’s birthday. Mr. Janes served as Assistant Recorder, then Recorder and Business Manager for Karem Shrine Temple for 28 years, achieving the distinctions of Recorder Emeritus of Karem Shrine Temple and Emeritus Representative to the Imperial Council of the Shrine of North America. Mr. Janes married Mabel Ann Lindsey, the mother of his three children, on July 1, 1950. They were married for 39 years until her death in 1989. Mr. Janes was blessed with another wonderful marriage when he wed Mary Leona Parks Cairns on October 5, 1991. They enjoyed many happy years together until her death in 2002. During his lifetime, Mr. Janes found joy in giving to children. He strived to help make life better for burned and crippled children through his work with the Masonic and Shrine organizations. He also loved cooking and maintaining his beautiful yard where he hosted countless Purple Martins and other species of wild birds. He was an avid orchid grower and served as secretary of the Cen-Tex Orchid Society. Mr. Janes was a member of Lakewood Christian Church for many years where he served in many capacities including deacon and elder. During his later years, he very much enjoyed receiving the Word of God through the Robert Schuller Ministries. Mr. Janes was a member of a number of fraternal organizations. He was a Mason, belonging to Waco Lodge #92. He was also a member of Waco Scottish Rite and York Rite Bodies, Karem Shrine Temple, Royal Order of Jesters., Westwood Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels, and Elks Lodge 1027 of Lufkin. Mr. Janes was also involved with several civic organizations such as being a past board member of the Cen-Tex Zoological Society. Mr. Janes leaves behind his children, Don L. Janes and wife, Becky, Suzanne Miller and husband, Darwin Jr., and Jennifer Canady and husband, Sonny; his step-children, Greg Cairns, and Hazel Spinn and husband, Rick; brothers, Wilson Janes and James Janes; sisters Lucy Pyland, Bettie Maxey, and Mary Adams. Mr. Janes is also survived by 16 adored grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, special friend, caregiver and companion, Rachel Rogers, and a host of other friends and family members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Waco Children’s Theatre, Central Christian Church Youth Program, Shrine Burns Institute, 610 Texas Avenue, Galveston, TX 77550 or Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, 1402 Outer Belt Dr., Houston, TX 77030. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY