Mr. John Wayne Hales

John Wayne Hales, 65, returned to his heavenly home on December 9, 2015 after a valiant battle with a long illness. After 47 years as an Army Veteran, his devotion and memories serving our country in Vietnam and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. John was born to the late William Howard and Mable Earline Hales, in Flora, Mississippi on August 30, 1950. He was a member of First Pentecostal Church of Jackson. He attended and graduated Class of 1970 at Flora High School, where he played Center for the Flora Lions football team and achieved 4th in the state for the 440 Yard Relay Track Team. John patriotically loved his country and enlisted in the United States Army on October 1, 1970, where he served honorably three tours in Vietnam; Received commendations for his dedication and bravery- National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Metal, Vietnam Campaign Metal, Air Metal, Marksman (M-16), and Vietnam Winter - Spring 1970 as a gunner on the Bell UH-1 Iroquois Huey. John was blessed with a large and loving family. He is survived by wife Ssang Im Hales, whom he married April 1, 2000 in Jackson, MS. His brothers William Alton Hales, Robert E. Lee Hales and his deceased brother George Louis Hales. His sisters Emma Lee Hales (Prisock), Peggy Joe Plumber, twin sisters, Paulette Matthews and Annette Case, and Evelyn Alleva, as well as his many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, step-children and friends. As a veteran of the Vietnam war, John left his service and learned several trades such as welding, construction and truck driving. He loved the natural beauty of every state during his travels and shared many amazing stories about his adventures and experiences. John will be forever remembered as a kind-hearted man who loved his family and showed humility to anyone in need. He was a music lover, played his old records of Jimmy Swaggart, Willie Nelson, Crystal Gale and many other country classic artists we know. From the very beginning, he dedicated his life to his country and his love for his family and God. He is dearly missed by his loved ones, who celebrate the fact that he is at peace with the Lord. Visitation will be 5-8pm Friday, December 11, 2015 at Chancellor Funeral Home in Byram. His military graveside service will be held for all family and friends at 11 a.m., December 12, 2015, where he will be laid to rest in a family plot next to his mother and father at Bethel Cemetery ( across from Franklin Baptist Church) in Flora, Mississippi. The family gratefully accepts any flowers or donations to Wounded Warriors.