Obituary for Don Hugh Hayes
The earthly portion of Don"s life: 9/14/37 " 7/1/2010
Don Hugh Hayes grew up on a family farm near Seiling OK. He went to highschool at the Harding Academy in AR and attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. While at OSU he met and married Sherry, completed his education with a major in English, and directed the Bible chair chorus. After moving to Altus in 1963, Sherry immediately began teaching in the public school system and Don sold insurance for New York Life and worked for the Elm & Hudson church of Christ. They believed that they could have a greater impact on God"s kingdom by putting down roots and they never left Altus.
For 20 years Don sold New York Life Insurance. He was recognized as one of the top young insurance men in the entire industry. He was a certified applicant of the elite world-wide Million Dollar Round Table, in recognition of his outstanding abilities. After several years of study he became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). This was the highest level of professional attainment in the life insurance business.
In 1970 they changed church membership to the Thomas Street church of Christ, which was recently renamed to Tamarack church of Christ. At Thomas Street, Don served in many capacities: youth ministry, bus ministry, song leader, deacon, elder, Bible teacher, personal evangelist. He also directed the singing at many local weddings and funerals. He and Sherry went on two mission trips to Guyana, South America 1993 & 1994, one to Germany in 1967 and to New Orleans in 1966.
In addition he conducted marriage seminars, and did personal and financial counseling for many Altus residents. Don was a member of the Kiwanis club of Altus since 1964. In 1994 and 2006 he received the yearbook award for outstanding service. In 1973 he served as the president.
After retiring from New York Life he began a 23 year career with the First State Bank of Altus. Because of his creativity in solving problems he was known internally at the bank as "McGuiver".
For many years he was a Ham Radio operator, known as WB5NRQ. He served as a volunteer for the Altus Civil Defense and for the Red Cross.
At the age of 23, shortly before moving to Altus, Don wrote his goals for life. Everyone that knew him can testify that he never parted from his goals:
My Aim in Life / Written Jan. 9, 1961, 9:20 pm (at age 23)
"To be a servant of my fellow human being motivated with the desire to give him a fuller, richer, and more enjoyable life. To serve my God and his church in any capacity that will aid the work and efforts of those about me. To be a devoted husband, void of selfishness, and willing to compromise on any issue which does not involve any principle that is basic in being true to myself. Also, to be a loving father to my children, instilling within them a faith in God, self and fellowman that will prepare them for the abundance that life has to offer."
Sherry, Don"s wife of 49 years still lives in Altus. They have two sons and six grandchildren. Scott and Sabine Hayes and their three boys (Daniel, 21; Alexander, 18; Benjamin, 16) live in Vienna Austria. Lyle and Jana Hayes have one daughter (Marina, 17) and two sons (Marshal, 13, Mason, 12). They live in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Don"s sister (Sandra) and her husband Lynn Johnson live in Austin Texas.
Although he dedicated many hours to community projects, his service was really an expression of his faith which we can sum up with the following words from Acts 20. "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me"the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me on this earth again.
In a continued act of selflessness, Don requested that his body be donated to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Therefore there will be no grave nor funeral service. However, there will be a memorial service at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home (1100 E. Tamarack Road) on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:00 AM. There will be an opportunity for visiting with the family Wednesday afternoon, July 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Tamarack Road church of Christ (1000 E. Tamarack Road).
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers you may make a memorial donation to Eastern European Mission (P.O. Box 670928, Dallas, TX 75367-0928, phone: 1 800 486 1818) or one of your choice.
Rev. 14:13 "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
--
Scott Hayes
EEM Publishing Director
P.O. Box 26
07/08/2010
10:00 AM
Memorial
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
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Don Hugh Hayes grew up on a family farm near Seiling OK. He went to highschool at the Harding Academy in AR and attended college at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. While at OSU he met and married Sherry, completed his education with a major in English, and directed the Bible chair chorus. After moving to Altus in 1963, Sherry immediately began teaching in the public school system and Don sold insurance for New York Life and worked for the Elm & Hudson church of Christ. They believed that they could have a greater impact on God"s kingdom by putting down roots and they never left Altus.
For 20 years Don sold New York Life Insurance. He was recognized as one of the top young insurance men in the entire industry. He was a certified applicant of the elite world-wide Million Dollar Round Table, in recognition of his outstanding abilities. After several years of study he became a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU). This was the highest level of professional attainment in the life insurance business.
In 1970 they changed church membership to the Thomas Street church of Christ, which was recently renamed to Tamarack church of Christ. At Thomas Street, Don served in many capacities: youth ministry, bus ministry, song leader, deacon, elder, Bible teacher, personal evangelist. He also directed the singing at many local weddings and funerals. He and Sherry went on two mission trips to Guyana, South America 1993 & 1994, one to Germany in 1967 and to New Orleans in 1966.
In addition he conducted marriage seminars, and did personal and financial counseling for many Altus residents. Don was a member of the Kiwanis club of Altus since 1964. In 1994 and 2006 he received the yearbook award for outstanding service. In 1973 he served as the president.
After retiring from New York Life he began a 23 year career with the First State Bank of Altus. Because of his creativity in solving problems he was known internally at the bank as "McGuiver".
For many years he was a Ham Radio operator, known as WB5NRQ. He served as a volunteer for the Altus Civil Defense and for the Red Cross.
At the age of 23, shortly before moving to Altus, Don wrote his goals for life. Everyone that knew him can testify that he never parted from his goals:
My Aim in Life / Written Jan. 9, 1961, 9:20 pm (at age 23)
"To be a servant of my fellow human being motivated with the desire to give him a fuller, richer, and more enjoyable life. To serve my God and his church in any capacity that will aid the work and efforts of those about me. To be a devoted husband, void of selfishness, and willing to compromise on any issue which does not involve any principle that is basic in being true to myself. Also, to be a loving father to my children, instilling within them a faith in God, self and fellowman that will prepare them for the abundance that life has to offer."
Sherry, Don"s wife of 49 years still lives in Altus. They have two sons and six grandchildren. Scott and Sabine Hayes and their three boys (Daniel, 21; Alexander, 18; Benjamin, 16) live in Vienna Austria. Lyle and Jana Hayes have one daughter (Marina, 17) and two sons (Marshal, 13, Mason, 12). They live in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Don"s sister (Sandra) and her husband Lynn Johnson live in Austin Texas.
Although he dedicated many hours to community projects, his service was really an expression of his faith which we can sum up with the following words from Acts 20. "I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me"the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace. "Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me on this earth again.
In a continued act of selflessness, Don requested that his body be donated to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Therefore there will be no grave nor funeral service. However, there will be a memorial service at Lowell-Tims Funeral Home (1100 E. Tamarack Road) on Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 10:00 AM. There will be an opportunity for visiting with the family Wednesday afternoon, July 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at the Tamarack Road church of Christ (1000 E. Tamarack Road).
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers you may make a memorial donation to Eastern European Mission (P.O. Box 670928, Dallas, TX 75367-0928, phone: 1 800 486 1818) or one of your choice.
Rev. 14:13 "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. They will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
--
Scott Hayes
EEM Publishing Director
P.O. Box 26
07/08/2010
10:00 AM
Memorial
Lowell-Tims Chapel
Altus
OK
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