Robert Nicholas Haynes, Nic Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Robert Nicholas Haynes, Nic to everyone who knew him, passed away on August 2, 2022, after a short illness. Nic was born to Gladys Rayfield and Robert “Bobby” Haynes in Pahokee Florida on July 26, 1969. Gladys died before Nic was 9 and he then spent several years in a very unhappy adoptive situation before finding his way to a new home with his mother’s sister, Elizabeth Beal, and her children: Denny, Lisa, David, Doug, and Darryl…aka Tony. His bond with these cousins-turned-siblings was strong and remained strong until his death. During these years, Nic also developed special relationships with his mother’s other sisters Jody and Kathy. While in high school and shortly after, Kurt Dawson and Charley Williams trained Nic as a gutter guy and helped lay the foundation for his life-long business. Throughout the early ’90s, Nic worked hanging gutter for Charlie during the day and tending bar at night. In 1990 while working in a tiny pool and darts bar on Kingston Pike, Nic met his future wife. In 1996, he ventured on his own with Nic’s Seamless Guttering, which remained his livelihood until just weeks before his death. He took great pride in his work and was a patient teacher for many young “gutter pups” throughout his career. Nic and Jo Ann were pretty much inseparable after the first date, and they were married in 1997. The Kerr family had always welcomed Nic, and by the time he and Jo Ann were married, the other Kerr girls already considered him their brother. In 1998, with a very dramatic entrance, twins Harley and Jake were born. Life was never the same and his children were the apples of his eye and the pride of his life. Nic had a couple of motorcycles during his teen years, but in 1997 motorcycle fever hit again, and he started looking for a new bike. He had picked out a Harley Davidson and was ready to buy it when the arrival of his other “Harley” postponed the bike purchase. In 2000, Nic finally got his custom FXR, and riding with his friends remained a passion for much of his life. Nic never met a stranger and between his afternoons spent at local watering holes and his business, he developed many lasting friendships. Nic was always willing to help out his friends and in one case actually did “give the shirt off of his back”. Nic’s many friendships were important to him and provided the anchor that held him steady during the many challenges he faced. Nic had an indomitable spirit and survived much adversity including numerous motorcycle scrapes, a traumatic brain injury in 2007, and a broken back in 2016. In each of these life-threatening situations, Nic always had a smile himself and used humor to keep everyone around him smiling. Even in his final illness, Nic exhibited great humor and a never-give-up attitude. Nic is survived by his children Harley Jo and Jake Haynes, and their mother Jo Ann; brothers Doug Beal, Tony Beal (Traci), and David Beal (Tamme); in-laws Joe and Linda Kerr, sisters-in-law Kristy Pennington, Mary Harris, and Melinda Owens (Tom); special cousins Joe Neff, and Gary Wilbanks; dear friends Clyde Clark and Scott Qualls; and many beloved nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome a contribution to help offset Nic’s medical expenses. Donations can be made with this GoFundMe, https://gofund.me/d247676e. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday,August 5, 2022 from 6:30-9:00 pm at Chesapeake’s West (9630 Parkside Drive Knoxville TN)

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Robert Nicholas Haynes, Nic

July 26, 1969 - August 2, 2022