Hugh Hayes

1914 - 2013

Hugh Hayes

August 1, 1914 - June 25, 2013

SALEM - Hugh John Hayes, Jr., 98, was born August 1, 1914, on Bear Creek near Wallowa, Oregon, and died June 25, 2013, at his home in Salem. He was the son of Hugh and Bessie Vernon Hayes, lifetime residents of Wallowa.

Hugh attended Wallowa schools and graduated from Wallowa High School in 1934. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Multnomah Falls and in eastern Oregon, then began his career as a draftsman with the Oregon State Board of Forestry in Salem. When World War II broke out he served with the U.S. Army, entering military service January 16, 1942. He earned the rank of Master Sergeant in the 340th Engineer Regiment. He spent over 16 months in Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada, building a segment of the Al-Can (Alaska Military) Highway and drawing maps, surveys and structure plans. That was followed by 21 months in the South Pacific—in Australia, New Guinea, Morotai, and Luzon in the Philippines, drawing maps and designing bridges that had been destroyed. He received an honorable discharge in November of 1945. Following World War II Mr.Hayes again worked for the Oregon State Department of Forestry in Salem, from 1945 until his retirement in 1993, drawing fire protection maps and safety cartoons, designing plans for guard stations and bridges, and illustrating field guides of Oregon trees.

During his long career he helped illustrate an entomology textbook for Oregon State University and prepared drawings of forest plants and shrubs for the animated movie "Bambi" for Walt Disney Studios. After retirement he wrote his life story, particularly his military experiences, and made drawings to illustrate them, thus helping to preserve history.

Hugh married Florence Wilson Ruffner on May 14, 1957, in Stevenson, Washington. The couple made their home in Salem throughout their life. They had been married 35 years when she died of a heart attack in 1992.

As a boy Hugh became interested in flying and later earned his pilot's license at McNary Field in Salem. He enjoyed creating models of airplanes and scenic pen-and-ink drawings. He volunteered in local schools, teaching art, geography and drug education concepts to elementary students for many years, up until his last year of life. Hugh was known as a talented artist and a kind, gentle person with a sense of humor. He had many friends and was loved by everyone. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Mr. Hayes was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Vernon Hayes, Bud Hayes, and Jerry Hayes; sister Myrtle Hayes Moffit; his wife Florence Hayes; and stepson Charles Carter. Survivors include his brothers, Eugene Hayes and Thomas Hayes, both of Wallowa, Oregon, and Patrick Hayes, Milwaukie, Oregon; sister, Betty Hayes Rysdam of Elgin, Oregon; two step-grandsons, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, July 12, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Tillamook Room of Administration Building C at the Oregon Department of Forestry Headquarters, 2600 State Street, Salem, Oregon. Arrangements were by Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, Salem.