John W. Halsey Jr.

John W. Halsey, Jr., 86, of Lubbock passed away Wednesday, June 18, 2014, with his sons at this side. He was born in Lubbock, Texas, June 26, 1927, to John W. Halsey, Sr., and Francis Halsey. He had one sibling, Arnett Halsey, who died as a young woman many years ago. He attended school in Lubbock from grade school to Lubbock High but graduated from New Mexico Military Institute in 1945. John served two stints in the U.S. Navy. He enlisted at the age of eighteen in September, 1945, completing basic training but being discharged in August, 1946, due to the end of WWII in 1945. He was called up from active reserve and re-enlisted on February 15, 1951. He served on the amphibious attack transport ship the U.S.S. Menard (APA 201) during the Korean War. His primary duties were storekeeping; when at battle quarters he helped crew a 5” 38 cannon. While on a tour of the Far East his ship participated in the amphibious assault feint at Wonsan, Korea, during the summer of 1951. One of his most enduring memories was witnessing the battleship U.S.S. New Jersey firing on targets at Wonsan. He was close enough to see the massive 16” shells in mid-air. He was separated from active service May 22, 1952, and honorably discharged with the rank of Storekeeper, Third Class, effective August 21, 1954. He received the China Service Medal, Korean Service Ribbon with (1) Star, and the United Nations Service Medal. Upon return from Navy service he completed his degree, receiving a B.S. in Pharmacy from the University of Texas in 1955. While attending U.T. he met and dated Gail Shook of Plainview, Texas. They were married December 23, 1952, and lived happily together raising three boys until her untimely passing June 23, 1979. John’s family was in the drugstore business starting in 1925 when his father opened John Halsey Drugstore in downtown Lubbock. His uncle, Mark Halsey, was also a prominent Lubbock drugstore owner. In 1955 John Jr. opened his own store in Monterey Center where he did business for many years until moving across the street to 50th and Canton in 1987. There he continued in business until 1997. The last John Halsey store, John Halsey Pharmacy, at St. Mary’s Hospital, closed in 2007. All told, John Halsey Drugstores and Pharmacies served Lubbock continuously for 82 years. He and his father always attributed any success they may have had to friends, customers, and wonderful employees. John was an avid fisherman. He loved river and stream trout fishing in the Rockies. He also enjoyed bird hunting, occasional deer hunting, and was a life-long shooter and life member of the N.R.A. John was a great follower of Texas Tech athletics and a long-time season ticket holder for both football and basketball. He was a dedicated Red Raider Club member and supporter. His charities included Wounded Warrior Project, M.D. Anderson Foundation, Meals on Wheels, Smile Train, and Texas Tech University. He is survived by his sons, Patrick, Mark, and Russell, along with Russell’s wife Regina Marshall Halsey, all of Lubbock, Texas. A memorial service will be held at 10am, Saturday, June 28, 2014, at Sanders Funeral Home (806-763-6433). A reception at Sanders will follow the service. Interment will be at the city of Lubbock Cemetery with family only in attendance.

John W. Halsey Jr.

June 26, 1927 - June 18, 2014