Larry L. Haines

Larry Haines was born in Denver Colorado on August 10, 1949, to Robert D. Haines and Betty Ann Conklen-Haines. His fondest and most talked about childhood memories were of the summers he and his brother Craig would spend on the farm in Missouri. When Larry was in high school their dad moved them down to Harlingen, Texas, where Larry’s love of the Rio Grande Valley was immediate.

Larry and his brother Craig both attended Harlingen High School and were avid surfers spending all their free time catching waves. Larry met Molly, the love of his life. They got married on December 27, 1969. Followed by him being drafted to serve in the Vietnam war June 1971 to Feb 1972, which Molly was able to join him. During this time, he was promoted quickly through the ranks with top secret clearance. Larry drew the maps that would route our troops around the enemy with his keen eye for detail helping our soldiers stay alive while fighting overseas. He was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Metal

When Larry left the military, he began a career in construction with his father R.D. Haines and brother Craig Haines. Larry never lost his passion for art, eventually completing his bachelor’s degree in art at the University of Houston and left the construction industry to pursue his career as an artist. Larry went on to become the most renowned artist in South Texas, Larry has created artwork that is displayed worldwide with several commissions of his accomplished work in Africa.

Larry and Molly opened The Fly Shop in Port Isabel where Larry sold his artwork and fly-fishing equipment, and Molly started her business for framing paintings. Larry has been recognized for his talent in several widely published magazines, holds a patent for a fly used in fly fishing and won a contest for an original saltwater stamp in Florida. Larry created trophies of his original work for the Texas International Fishing Tournament and several other major fishing tournaments in the South Padre Island area, Larry was dedicated to fishing and wildlife conservation and held the record for a tarpon caught on a fly rod.

Larry is survived by his brother, Craig Haines; his two beautiful daughters, Teri Bennett and Tracy Haynes; his grandson Ethan; and his sons-in-law, Robert Bennett and Michael Haynes.

Larry was loved by the entire fishing & wildlife community and made more lifelong friends than anyone could imagine. Larry was a great man that enjoyed a beautiful life with his wife Molly, daughters Teri and Tracy, his brother Craig and anyone lucky enough to truly know him. Larry will be missed terribly by all the people’s lives he has touched over the years; we are all so grateful to have shared this amazing journey with Larry and are fortunate to have been a part of his life.

The Haines family will receive friends and relatives on Thursday, September 11, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A graveside service will take place on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park.