of Little Rock, AR

November 8, 1937 - March 6, 2026

W. Ducote (Coty) Haynes, MD

With country music playing in the background, gazing at the Arkansas River surrounded by family, friends and fur babies who loved him and in the arms of his wife of forty-three years, W. Ducote (Coty) Haynes, MD died peacefully at his home on Friday March 6, 2026, of complications from a stroke he suffered three years and three months ago, from which he fought long and hard.
Coty was born November 8, 1937, in Ft Smith, AR to Walter (Doc) B. and Ella Ducote Haynes. Growing up and attending school in Ft Smith he often shared stories and wonderful memories of hunting, fishing, and crazy's escapades with many from Ft Smith who became lifelong friends. After graduating from Ft. Smith high, he attended Westminster in Fulton, Missouri, before transferring to the University of AR and then on to UAMS medical school and residency in radiology. He practiced radiology for several years in Ft Smith before moving to Little Rock joining and becoming one of the early partners of Radiology Associates. Years later Radiology Associates partners asked him if he would complete a fellowship in radiation therapy at MD Anderson and return to practice in and oversee their radiation therapy division.
Coty was instrumental in the thought, planning and bringing together the three hospitals and health care facilities to make CARTI a reality with the opening of its doors in April l976, then for many years serving as it's medical director. He fondly reminisced about the early CARTI days of long hours with wonderful, dedicated staff members, tumor boards and flying around the state in a small plane with Drs Kent Westbrook and Jack Sternberg to consult with doctors and share in tumor conferences. Later as CARTI was looking to expand, he was once again instrumental in the planning of CARTI Searcy which opened in 1987, where he remained and served as medical director until his retirement in 1996 at the age of 58 ½. Coty loved and enjoyed his time and staff in Searcy, but also important to him was he closer to his hunting property, many of his hunting buddies and with doctors for whom he had gone to medical school with. Throughout the years he provided quality of life care to countless cancer patients. He was a caring compassionate physician who listened and learned from his patients and employees. But if truth be told he was probably a frustrated farmer, because after retirement he spent countless hours riding his tractor, working the land, planting, trimming trees and killing weeds.
It is believed he was one of the CARTI staff's favorites if not their favorite doctor because many have said he always treated them with kindness,
respect, made them laugh, feel important, part of the team and enjoyed sharing his nutrition, exercise and financial advice. He would spend countless early morning hours, always with a fur baby in his lap, reading and ready and available to share his newfound knowledge to anyone who would listen. His patients adored him and he enjoyed and learned from them, as every year he would have a new way to grow the best tomatoes, new types of deer food and locations for the best fishing holes. After retiring he said he believed that during the last few years taking care of his patients was when he was the best physician he could ever have been.

Retiring at an early age allowed him as his wife often said, to 'play' the rest of his life, taking advantage of enjoying all the things he loved, hunting, fishing, wildlife management, traveling, skiing and enjoying time with family and friends.

He gladly and graciously served and shared his knowledge on many boards and organizations he was passion about, to name a but few The American Cancer Society, CARTI, Arkansas Wildlife Federation and he was a member, Edler and ''server'' for many mission auctions at Trinity Presbyterian Church. He enjoyed with his wife donating and providing, at their home on the Arkansas River, fish fries for many organizations and CARTI employees. In the early days he often caught, cleaned, and cooked the fish, with a little help from his friends, but finally he got smart and decided to cater the entire event.

Coty was a beautiful snow skier, an excellent dancer who could cut a rug, an accurate shot, a great fishman and hunter, boat navigator and a kind, loving, caring person. He began hunting & fishing at an early age and continued throughout his entire life. But in his later years it was more about managing the land and wildlife as well as realizing and enjoying their beauty. He put together, managed and enjoyed with others many hunting clubs and properties until he eventually managed, cared for and improved his solely owned property in Prairie County.


Preceded by his parents, sister Kay H. Symonds, mother-in-law Peg Smith and great nephew Tatum Caubble. As well as many friends and hunting buddies who have located the best fishing holes, put up deer stands at the lush food plots and built a huge duck blind for all, with a seat for Sammie to retrieve her dad's ducks, in the perfect timber hole and were waiting for and are celebrating his arrival.

Those left with beautiful, wonderful memories of the caring loving person he was is his best friend, beloved wife and love of his life Susie (Linda) Haynes and she loved him madly, sons Coty B. Haynes, Cabot, AR, Larson Haynes, Akins, MN, daughter Holly Haynes, Little Rock, grandsons Chase Ducote Haynes (Rachel), Dillion Haynes, Conner Haynes, great grandchildren Beckham Ducote Haynes, Harrison Haynes and Aniston Haynes, father in law Bob Smith, brother in law Terry (Zeke) Smith (Cindy), daughter in law Beth Miller, niece Whitney Caubble (Brad), Great niece Brynlee Drummond, great nephew Cohen Caubble and many other family members, chosen family, friends, patients and colleagues who knew and loved him.

His journey could not have been possible and would have been harder without the love, support, and care of so many. Words will never be able to express the profound gratitude for his angels on earth, Beth, Ashley, Amy and Tami who for these last three years plus have taken care of and loved him as if he were their own family. Without them he would not have been able to remain in the home he loved, enjoy seeing the wildlife in the fields, fish jumping with ducks and geese flying over the River. There have been countless other who have been on this journey with him and provided him with care, love and the encouragement to continue fighting, Orlando Thomas his personal trainer for 28 years who continued to work with him every week and knew his body and strengths as well as getting in some hunting talk, Dr Tory Hunton, who made him her family and fought hard to help him recover, Phil McKelvey PT who also worked with him weekly giving him the extra push to continue trying to walk, Dr Scott Brown who was always glad to see him and couldn't believe he ate a four course meal every morning, as well as a big lunch and salmon, tuna or chicken with all sides for dinner. The Gentiva Hospice Staff of Dr Carrie Hyde, Bradley, Jason, Becky and John who all went above and beyond to make his last days as comfort and special for him and his family. Niece Whitney who wanted to be sure he was comfortable and that he knew he was greatly loved, giving him a special full facial and dental cleaning. Daughter in law Beth Miller, who as a thirty-year hospice nurse, coordinated and helped with unquestionable love with all care and comfort decisions.


His Mama didn't let her baby grow up to be a cowboy
But he was perfect in everyway
Now as the cowboy rides away He is on the road again.

In lieu of flowers for those wishing to remember Coty please consider your gift to one of the following or to any charity or organization of your choosing, National Deer Association (QDMA) PO Box 160 Bogart, Ga 30622, CARTI 8901 Carti Way Little Rock, AR 72205, Trinity Presbyterian Church 4501 Rahling Rd Little Rock 72223 or Arkansas Wildlife Federation 401 W. Bingham Rd Little Rock, AR 72206

Service will be held at 4:00 pm Saturday March 28th at Trinity Presbyterian Church 4501 Rahling Rd Little Rock AR 72223. With a celebration of a life well lived following at Chenal Event Center 21 Rahling Circle Little Rock, AR 72223.

 

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