Nathaniel Haynes of Fort Worth, Texas passed away on Saturday, November 9, 2019 at the age of 67.In the gentle spirit that he lived, Nathaniel was born on June 30, 1952, in Marshall, Texas, where he was reared by his mother, the late Jessie Lee Haynes Jones, and his great aunt Jessie Parker, who was like his grandmother. With education, religion, and community involvement playing vital roles in his life, it is easy to understand that he began his educational pursuits at Dunbar Elementary School. Later he graduated from Pemberton High School in 1970 as a member of its last graduating class. Following high school, Nathaniel attended DeVry Institute of Technology, where he gained skills that would assist him with engineering when he joined the Marines.At an early age, Nathaniel was baptized and joined the Greater Oak Grove Baptist Church, where he participated in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and numerous traditional activities for the youth. When Nathaniel returned to Marshall as an adult, he joined a church in Elysian Fields, TX. As Nathaniels health declined, he sometimes attended the religious services at the Briarcliff Skilled Nursing Facility in Carthage and the services at the Willow Bend Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mesquite.When our family experienced death visits on three occasions within a six-month period of time, Nathaniel had difficulty coping and grieving, especially with the deaths of his mother and Aunt Jessie. He needed something to challenge and meaningfully engage him. Nathaniel found this challenge by enlisting with the United States Marine Corp where he discovered a different family, one that provided a new focus and direction. This connection led to a seven-year relationship that established the Marine Corp as another home for Nathaniel. Apparently, there is truth to the phrase: once a Marine, always a Marine; Nathaniel has trusted the Marines through illnesses, back surgery, and the overwhelming power of cancer, which led to his death.Loved ones who preceded Nathaniel in death were his parents, grandparents, and son. To the many friends and loved ones who express thoughts about his kindness, gentleness, and sweet spirit, Nathaniel leaves to mourn the following: his devoted sister, Dr. Shirley Haynes Wright of Fort Worth, TX; an uncle, Billy Haynes (Doris) of Dallas, TX; two aunts, Dorothy Conner of Victorville, CA and Ruth Haynes of Dallas, TX; a nephew, Robert Wells, Jr. of Marshall, TX; two nieces, Andrea Singleton of Marshall, TX and Lisa Stephens of Elysian Fields, TX; and numerous grand nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends.Services will be on Monday, November 18, 2019 at 10:30 am in the Brooks Family Chapel of the North Dallas Funeral Home, 2710 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, Texas 75234.Interment, with military honors, will follow at the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.Please leave the family condolences and share memories on this website.