Johnny Haws was Denver’s answer to “The Music Man.” But unlike that troublesome con artist of stage and movie fame, Haws was a legitimate traveling salesman of band instruments who loved to share music.
Proving himself on the road was how Haws got his start with the venerable downtown Denver store, Wells Music.
And he worked there for the next 60 years.
Haws, who was 88 when he died Aug. 28 in Denver, started his music career with a six-piece band he formed at North High School, and he continued to play in bands after graduation.
He led a music group in the armed forces during World War II, but later became a gunnery officer, was wounded and was awarded a Purple Heart.
In 1938, Wells Music owners told him to “go south and don’t come back until you’ve sold something.” He did just that, traveling the state, selling instruments out of his trunk, said his daughter, Nancy Haws of Littleton.
After a few years he became the head of the Steinway piano franchise for Wells, buying and selling pianos throughout the U.S.
He became a friend of owner Henry Steinway and in 1994, Steinway christened the John C. Haws Recital Hall at Wells Music, then at 628 S. Broadway.
Haws’ wife, Doris Haws, played the piano, and he taught music lessons at his home morning and evening, but not to his own children. They had other teachers. “He wouldn’t have been patient with us like he was with other kids,” said Nancy Haws.
John C. Haws was born in Johnstown, Pa., on April 5, 1917. He moved with his family to Colorado during the Depression when his father was looking for work.
He began playing the saxophone as a child and later the piano, flute, clarinet. He went out of his way to get instruments for students who couldn’t afford one.
He gave a clarinet to his barber, Gerry Middleton, but wouldn’t take money. So Middleton said he’d give Haws free haircuts for the rest of his life. The freebies lasted more than 20 years.
Middleton later teased Haws, saying, “That was the most expensive clarinet I ever bought.”
Haws married Doris Stapleton, whom he had met at Wells, and they had six children. She preceded him in death.
Though music was his life, Haws “had two left feet when it came to dancing,” his wife told family members.
Haws was also a good businessman, his daughter said, and he was a savvy stock market investor.
In addition to his daughter Nancy, Haws is survived by daughters Cynthia Haws of Denver and Susan Dawson of Lakewood; and three sons: John William Haws of Denver, Gregory Haws of Longmont and Stephen Haws of Lakewood; eight grandchildren; and one great grandchild.
Staff writer Virginia Culver can be reached at 303-820-1223 or vculver@denverpost.com.
