Obituary - Lester Dennis Haisley Jr.

Our “honey”, “Dad”, and “Pop-Pop” completed his journey on Earth at age 97 in his home at Cedarfield, on July 19, 2025. He passed peacefully surrounded by his devoted wife, three children, and numerous other family members.

Les was born in Marion, Indiana, just before the Depression hit the United States. He was an entrepreneur from his early days, selling newspapers near his father’s garage for three cents each-he got to keep a penny. He used his earnings to go to see cowboys on Saturday mornings at the “picture show.” He and his family moved during his childhood and he ended up graduating from high school in Terre Haute, Indiana, where he excelled in the classroom and also participated on the cross country and basketball teams.

From there, he served in the US Army in Korea where he won distinguished honors for his marksmanship. He was honorably discharged and then graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Business Administration, later becoming a Sloan Fellow at Stanford University. He began a career with Shell Oil Company following his graduation which eventually took him to Charlotte, North Carolina.

While in Charlotte, he met the love of his life, Jane Elizabeth Hart, a school teacher from a small town in eastern North Carolina. They were married in Durham, North Carolina, on July 21, 1956. Les’ career with Shell continued and took them to numerous locales including New York, Virginia, California, Connecticut, and Georgia, before he finally left Shell in 1973. During this time, the couple welcomed their children, Elizabeth (Betty) Haisley Cochrane, John David Haisley, and Samuel Cole Haisley. Upon his return to Virginia, Les took a new role with Petroleum Marketers in Richmond. He felt this job would keep him in the industry he knew but would also allow him more time to be with his wife and children.

Les excelled in just about everything he tried. He was a loving husband and father while also serving in the community. He was a longtime member of River Road Presbyterian Church where he served in various capacities including on the Session. He was also a faithful member of the West Richmond Rotary Club where he served as President in 1980.

One of Les’ great joys besides sports was travel. He took his two grandsons on a trip around the world because Jane preferred to stay at home! He went to an MLB All-Star Game, several Final Fours, and numerous ACC Basketball Tournaments. One of the great traditions he hosted for many years was going to Emerald Isle, North Carolina, as a family reunion.

Les was preceded in death by his parents Zola Lee Haisley and Lester Dennis Haisley, and his brother Larry Lee Haisley as well as his in-laws Elizabeth (Lizzie) Cole Hart and John Quincy Hart. Les is survived by his wife, Jane; his children Betty Cochrane (David), John Haisley (Valarie), and Sam Haisley (Eduardo Vidal); his grandchildren, Cole Johnson (Krystle Waldren), Connor Johnson (Chaney), Sarah Wind, Susannah Haisley, Quincy Haisley (Drew Woodham), Sidney Haisley; great grandchildren, Byron Johnson, Callen Johnson, Cooper Johnson, and Lucy Johnson. Jane and the rest of the family were the most important things in his life. His love for travel is something that runs throughout the family and this will be part of his legacy to them.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr Amy Scheer, Ann Hopper, Adline Witcher and their “angels of mercy” – Karen, Kayla, Yolanda, Paula and Shanney – who provided tender care to Les during even the darkest of days. A celebration of life honoring Les will be held beginning at 2:00pm on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at Cedarfield, 2300 Cedarfield Pkwy, Henrico, VA 23233. Bliley Funeral Home has been entrusted with the cremation as requested by Les.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in memory of Les Haisley, to either the Scholarship Fund at Cedarfield (cedarfield.org/philanthropy) or the Rotary Foundation (my.rotary.org/en/donate). You are also invited to visit the online registry at blileys.com for the family.