With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Jerome Haskins of Leander, TX.
Behind every name is a life, and behind every life are the people who loved it.
Jerome spent his working life as ['bus driver for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority'] and held deeply to the Catholic faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew him best.
The lessons of service stay, even when the years move on.
Jerome James Haskins February 19, 1947 - April 20, 2026
Jerome James Haskins was a man of many names, and each one tells a story. To his beloved wife, he was Jay. To his brothers in arms, he was JJ. To his family in Philadelphia, he was simply Jerome, or Uncle Jerome to those who looked up to him. To his daughters, he was Dad. No matter what you called him, if Jerome James Haskins was in your life, you knew you were loved.
Jerome was born on February 19, 1947 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of William and Clara Haskins. He received his early education at Roman Catholic School for Boys in Philadelphia, where he was proud to serve as an altar boy, a role he never tired of sharing. Jerome carried Philadelphia with him wherever life took him - and it would take him very far.
Jerome was the fourth of six children. His oldest sister, Sonja Haskins, survives him, as does his youngest sister, Carol Williams. His remaining siblings, Richard, Barbara, and Theodore are no longer with us. Although not a sibling, Jerome shared a bond with his nephew Drake Haskins, who was in every meaningful sense his brother. They dreamed together, big dreams about land, legacy, and building something that would carry the Haskins name forward. Though both men have now passed, those dreams live on in the hearts of their children, who have spoken of one day picking up where their fathers left off.
As a young man, Jerome answered the call of service and enlisted in the United States Navy. He traveled the world, seeing places most people only read about, and he served his country with distinction during the Vietnam War. During his military service, he earned an associate's degree. His service later led him to the United States Coast Guard, where he met the love of his life, Jacqueline Turner, a fellow service member from Chicago, Illinois. They married on August 12, 1979, beginning a partnership that would span nearly five decades.
Together, Jay and Jacque built a life that took them across the country, from Hawaii in the early days of their marriage, to Maryland and the Washington D.C. area, to Governors Island in New York, and back to Maryland where they planted roots and raised their family in Prince George's County. After his military retirement, Jerome began a second career as a bus driver for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. For decades, he commuted from Prince George's County into Washington D.C., driving Metrobus routes.
Jerome was a man who lived with purpose and believed deeply in the power of education. He led by example, pushing his daughters to pursue learning. An avid reader and devoted history buff, he subscribed to National Geographic magazine and required Casi and Celeste to read it over the summer when they were young girls growing up in Prince George's County. While other children looked forward to freedom from school, Jerome wanted to ensure their minds stayed sharp during the break. He had them write reports on what they read. At the time, his daughters resisted, but their mother Jacqueline would remind them that one day they would understand and appreciate their father's commitment to their growth. She was right.
When Jay and Jacque relocated to Leander, Texas around 2007, Jerome continued to use his commercial driver's license, transitioning to driving a school bus for the local district. He worked until his Alzheimer's diagnosis brought his driving days to a close.
Those who knew Jerome knew they were never far from a laugh. He was a prankster, a jokester, and a man who could find the humor in almost any situation. He was a diehard Philadelphia Eagles fan who never wavered in his loyalty. He never missed a chance to watch Star Trek, and he was the dad who introduced his little girls to Indiana Jones. In his later years, his favorite exchange with anyone coming or going was a cheerful call and response: "See you later, alligator," and he always waited for the answer, "After a while, crocodile."
Jerome James Haskins passed away on April 20, 2026, at his home in Leander, Texas, with his wife Jacque by his side. He was 79 years old. After years of living with Alzheimer's disease, he left this world peacefully, surrounded by the love he had spent a lifetime building.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 46 years, Jacqueline Turner Haskins; his daughters Angela Simmons, Tiffany Torrance, Celeste Alvarez del Castillo, and Casi Haskins; his grandchildren LaRon Wiggins, Darryl "DJ" Williams, Donte' Williams, Zion Simmons, and Kareem Torrance; his sisters Sonja Haskins and Carol Williams; his niece Leslie Christine Haskins (Chrissy), who played a significant role in his care during his final days; his niece Nicole Williams and nephew T.C. Williams - and a host of other relatives and friends whose lives he touched.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Clara Haskins; his siblings Richard, Barbara, and Theodore Haskins; his nephew Drake Haskins; and his niece Shari Haskins-Goode.
