JR Hazel (1925-2020)

March 09, 2020

Services for Mr. JR Hazel, 94, Fruitvale, were scheduled for 11 a.m., Friday, March 6, 2020, at First Baptist Church of Fruitvale with Bro. Gary Vaughan officiating under the direction of Bartley Funeral Home.

Burial was held in Creagleville Cemetery.

Mr. Hazel passed away March 2, 2020, in a Quitman hospital. He was born October 5, 1925, in Quitman to Oscar Dee & Zula Lois Allen Hazel. J.R. lived in Fruitvale all of his life, except for a four-year enlistment in the US Army, during WWII, where he served in the Philippines. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Fruitvale and retired from Lone Star Gas, after 30 years, as a heavy equipment operator. After retirement, J.R. was an avid farmer. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 62 years, Mary Helen Hazel; two children, Richard Hazel and Linda Anderson; sisters, Dolly Patterson and Betty Schmitz; and grandson, Justin Hazel.

Survivors include his son, David Hazel and wife Bonnie of Fruitvale; son-in-law, Clifford Anderson of Grand Saline; daughter-in-law, Glynda Hazel of Canton; brother, O.D. Hazel and wife Billie of Fruitvale; grandchildren, Annette Copeland and husband Vincent, Shelly Maxie and husband D.J., Joe Hazel, Derek Hazel and wife Maygen, Matt Hazel and wife Amanda, Audra Phillips and husband Justin, and Chance Hazel; sixteen great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers were Joseph Hazel, Derek Hazel, Matt Hazel, Chance Hazel, Vincent Copeland and Justin Phillips.

Honorary pallbearers were Jimmy Fisher and Kenneth Aleman.

Memorials may be made to the Grand Saline Public Library, 201 E Pacific

Grand Saline, TX 75140 and Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701.

The family received friends 6-8 p.m., Thursday, at the funeral home.