John Emmett Hayes

John Emmett Hayes, 76, of Tulip, Texas was received unto Jesus at 2:00 p.m. October 17, 2016. He was at the home he built for his family several years ago. His devoted wife, Linda, and his dear friend, Gordon Dunahoe, were with him, along with his daughter Molly.
John was born November 2, 1939 in Dallas, Texas to E. O. (Doc) and Kathleen Lockhart Hayes. The family resided in the Bluffview Neighborhood and spent summers in a cabin near Creed, Colorado where John developed a love for outdoor adventures, such as, fishing, hunting, and exploring. John was a 1957 graduate of Hillcrest High School and a 1962 graduate of Southern Methodist University where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
John met his lifelong sweetheart, Mary Linda Wardlaw of Del Rio, TX, while they were both SMU students. The couple married June 15, 1962 in Durant, Oklahoma.
John achieved the rank of co-pilot while employed with Braniff International Airways for many years, he especially liked flying internationally. After retiring from Braniff in 1989, John farmed at Tulip and Telephone, TX for many years.
John also enjoyed being a competition shooter, winning the Texas State Championship in 1965. He was an avid hunter most of his life, hunting fowl in Mexico and South America several times. John operated Sporting Pheasants many years, guiding day hunts in the Red River bottom at Tulip, Texas. John enjoyed fishing trips to Port Mansfield with family and friends. He also loved crappie fishing at Lake Fork, striper fishing at Lake Texoma, and, most recently at Beavers Bend, Oklahoma with family.
Around 15 years ago, John and Linda obtained 2 mules, Cadillac Jack and Joe, and began a whole new series of adventures. John led a group on horseback for the RFD-TV series Best of America by Horseback episode filmed at Lake Fannin, March, 2005.
In 2005, they accompanied their sons, Martin and Clint, on a hunt to the Gila Wilderness of western New Mexico. Their favorite riding experience was through the Superstition Mountains in Arizona.
The couple took the mules to Arizona for many years where they spent winters riding through the desert mountains, often accompanying parties of other riders for cookouts and live musical entertainment. Near the couple's winter home of Bouse, Arizona, John began digging a gold mine in the desert. People passing by would stop to see what he was doing. John always asked them if they knew Jesus. John shared his strong faith and love for his Lord with all his friends and family. John truly lived what he believed and walked it every day.

John was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, of the home in Tulip, Texas.
3 sons, John Martin Hayes and wife, Renda of McAlester, OK
Dean Crawford Hayes and wife, Cindy of San Antonio, TX
Clint Andrew Hayes and wife, Sunni of Sherman, TX
Daughter, Molly Hayes of San Angelo, TX
Brother, Richard G. Hayes and wife, Val of Kennewick, WA
Grandchildren, Kara Hayes, Lizzy Hayes, Nathan Hayes, and Ava Hayes, all of McAlester, OK,
Matthew Hayes of San Antonio, TX, Shelbi Hayes, Audrey Hayes, Lucas Hayes, and Mary Grace Hayes, all of Sherman, TX
Great granddaughter, Abbey Baker of McAlester, OK
Nieces and nephew, Donna Hayes, Nancy Hayes Penley and Darrell Hayes
Extended family and friends.

And his beloved Siamese Cat, Chip.

Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM, Thursday, October 20, 2016 at Bettes Cemetery in Ivanhoe, TX. The family will receive friends 1:00-2:00 PM Thursday, preceding the service at Wise Funeral Home, 219 W Sam Rayburn Dr., Bonham, TX. A celebration of John's life will follow the graveside service at the Parker House Tasting Room near downtown Ivanhoe.

Pallbearers will be Jack Atkinson of Dallas, TX, Ted Davis of Dallas, TX, Sterling Kenty of Dallas, TX, Mike Murray of Telephone, TX, Corky Riemer of Tulip, TX and Skipper Trimble of Dallas, TX.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Martin Wardlaw of Del Rio, TX, Art Beckwith of Progresso, TX, Robert Allison of San Angelo, TX, Lee Caldwell of Abilene, TX, Matt Riemer of Tulip, TX, and Richard Riemer of Tulip, TX.

The family wishes to express special gratitude to Gordon Dunahoe and Bill Terry for their devoted love and care.