John Earl Gaines Sr's Obituary
John Earl Gaines Sr. entered heavens gates to be with Our Lord on September 5, 2017 at the age of 71. He was born on May 16, 1946 to the late Sylvester Gaines and Estella Newman. He spent his primary childhood years in St. Lewis, Ill., and Waterloo, IA where he was raised with his siblings. He accepted the Lord at an early age and was baptized by the late Pastor Jordan of Union Baptist Church in Waterloo, IA. John attended East Waterloo High School in Waterloo, IA and went on to serve in the United States Army. He was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA where he received an Honorary Discharge in 1966 and made his home in Tacoma, WA.
John was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Tacoma, and later worshipped with his family at, Jesus Saves Deliverance Center. He was a member of Prince Hall Grand Lodge F. & A.M. For Iowa And Jurisdiction, St. John’s Lodge No.35. where he was a Master Mason. John was employed with Nalley’s Fine Foods until he medically retired. He was passionate about the Seattle Seahawks and enjoyed interior decorating and cooking for family and friends. Over the years he collected a large assortment of elephants which represents strength and power a characteristic of John. John loved his family and he was most happy when they were together, it put a smile on his face and brought much joy to his heart. He was deeply loved and will be truly missed by his family and friends.
John was preceded in death by his sister Mary Joyner, former wife and lifetime friend Juanita Gaines and Yolonda Morgan companion and friend. John is survived by Four brothers; Leo (Gloria) White, Ray (Lena) Newman, Roger (Heather)Newman of Waterloo, IA eight sisters; Della (Ben) Gray of East St. Louis; Ollie Jordan, Shirley, Debra and Gennie White, Patricia Grant, Vera (Lesse) Stevenson all of Waterloo, IA ;Linda Newman (Beto) Barbosa of Dallas, TX and John had recently connected with half-sisters Freda (Jimmy) McDonald and Melinda (Steven) Smith.
Loving father of Natalie (Dennis) Price, Walter (Melayne) Jones, Vaughn (Renee) Gaines Sr., Shawn (Maristela) Gaines, Donyelle (V. Rebecca) Frazier, Javontany (Elijah) Benn, John (Emily) Gaines, Jr. of Tacoma, Washington; William (Gina) Watkins, Gloria (William) Magee, Yolonda (Antony) Bryant of Dallas Texas.
Attentive grandfather of Evelyn, Jamera, Mekhi, Zion, Abeni, Aniyah, Amaila, Amani, Amaria (Matthew), Dennis Jr, William IV, Brandon, Kaelin, Vaughn Jr, Dauntel, Davion, Nyree, Naylynn, Anthony, Xymora, Reyelle, Kyla, Donovyn, Natalie (Rafael) , William III.
And great grandfather of Matthew, Maree, Moriah, Malachi, Jovon, Joel, Hendrix
Gabriel, Johna, Rain, Skye, Heaven, Brooklynn.
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