Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
John Hayes Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for John Hayes
Nancy VanDyke
August 5, 2005
Jack and I met at North High School in Worcester, Mass. in the early 1960's. Jack was 2 years ahead of me. Because he was the tallest tenor and I was the tallest soprano in our school's Mixed Chorus, we were placed side-by-side during performances. That is how we met, and that is where we were when Jack asked me out for our first date. We found that we had many similar interests: our faith journeys, progressive politics, the beauty of the natural world, music, books and lifelong education. We dated throughout high school and college and, 3 days after I graduated from college and 2 years into Jack's graduate program at Cornell, we married and moved to a tiny 2-room apartment in Whitney Point, NY. A year later, we cut our commuting times dramatically by moving into Ithaca, and a year and a half after that, we moved to the Sunny South for what we thought would be a 2-year sojourn during which Jack would study and work under the auspices of Dr. Eugene Odum at the Savannah River Ecology Lab. Jack's grant ended just as Jonathan was about to be born, so we opted to stay put in Aiken, SC. Nearly 3 years later, Dianne arrived to complete our family.
We continued to enjoy many of the same activities, but eventually Jack's and my paths diverged. Our divorce was finalized in 1978. Splitting up a family is never an easy thing but eventually both Jack and I would find soulmates to help ease our pain, and Jon and Di began to recognize that having 4 parents instead of 2 wasn't such a bad thing after all! When Jack left this planet, he and I had been friends again for several years, for which I am most grateful.
I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Jack for being a truly good person in a world in which putting the needs of others ahead of one's own needs is much too rare. Thank you, too, Jack [I'm assuming you're up late keeping up with everybody's writings] for giving me the very best gift -- the opportunity to be the mother of Jonathan and Dianne, and MeMum of Dan and Jenny. May they carry on your legacy.
Love and tears, Nancy
Dianne Doss
July 31, 2005
It still makes me sad, and I still cry, but I think of him being with me every time a butterfly or dragonfly goes by. A beautiful black and yellow one visited me on the softball field today.
Jonathan Hayes
July 30, 2005
The first month went by so slow. The other months have gone by quickly. It has been a year since we talked to Dad. I do not know what to write anymore. The tears flow with ease. I hope he was proud of me. I was proud of him.
Jonathan (son)
Sadie Downen-Hayes
June 19, 2005
It is the first Father's Day for Jonathan, Dianne, and Robert without their Dad. I know that today they must have been remembering other Father's Days and wishing he were still here. He is in our minds and thoughts so much. I know that he is watching down upon his children and grandchildren and smiling. I am so honored to have had this man for my Father-in-law. We miss you and love you so much. Good luck in that Great race in the sky.
Jonathan Hayes
March 27, 2005
May this day of Easter bring Hope, Faith and Peace to everyone :)
May Dad enjoy a great egg hunt in the skies.
Love, Jonathan and Sadie
Jonathan Hayes
January 1, 2005
The months have gone by fast. It's the holidays, and we miss his smile, his laughter, his companionship. May we all have a happy new year in 2005.
Jonathan
Jonathan Hayes
November 25, 2004
Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to all a good feast.
We can be thankful for knowing my Dad, a great father, a great teacher, a great traveler, a great conversationalist, a great biologist, and a great eater. When my siblings and I couldn't finish the food on our plate, Dad would. May he enjoy a heavenly feast on this Thanksgiving. Our stomachs ache for his presence. May we fill them with great food.
Jonathan (son)
Jonathan Hayes
September 10, 2004
T.G.I.F.
Dad would go to the Village Deli in Augusta for t.g.i.f. He would eat, drink Guiness, and converse.
This is his birthday, and I am sure he would be there for a great party. So, go out today or tonight, eat good food, listen to great music, and remember my Dad with conversation.
Happy Birthday Dad.
Love, Jonathan
Dianne Doss
September 2, 2004
This is my speech from the memorial.
Good afternoon. My name is Dianne, and I am the daughter of Dr. John Thompson Hayes, known to many as Jack Hayes, known to me as Dad.
We are gathered here today, not to mark the passing of my Dad, but to celebrate his life.
In no way will I be able to celebrate Saturday, July 31st, 2004. On that weekend, my Dad was planning on being in Portland Oregon for a conference, and in his spare time fit in some sea kayaking and a road race. But, instead of being full of life that weekend, his body was destroyed by a disease out of nowhere.
His body was destroyed, but not his life. I cannot say that my Dad passed away on July 31st, for he is still with us. I cannot say that he left us on that day, for he is still with us. I can say that his body ceased to function on that day, BUT he is still with us. He is with us as long as we continue to remember him in our lives.
I know that we all will have our own ways of remembering him, but I thought that I would share some of the ways that I expect to remember him in the future.
BUGS! Dad loved his bugs. I could agree with him about the beauty of a passing dragonfly or butterfly, but he also liked the creepy crawlies. While in Ireland, along with beautiful pictures of mountains and sea,¡Khe had pictures of ¡¥Large Black Slug¡¦! Personally, I like the pretty bugs, but I will always think of Dad when I see an interesting new bug ¡V even a creepy crawly.
KOA campgrounds and VW buses. I can¡¦t pass a KOA campground sign on the highway without thinking of the weekend trips that Jon and I took with Dad, often in a camper van. I just saw one of the old VW van¡¦s the other day and was peering in at the little sink and table, remembering eating at one myself.
Then there¡¦s photography. Dad bought me my Pentax K-1000 that I used in my high school photography class, and all through college and afterwards. He loved to document his trips,¡Kright down to the flowers and bugs that he passed along the way. ƒº I have recently renewed my love of photography, and expect to think of him often on my own expeditions.
Running was another passion for my Dad. Some years back, a back doctor told Dad that he needed to stop running. Dad only gave some ground, telling the doc that he would give up marathons but not his beloved 10Ks. Dad ran upwards of 25 Peachtree Road Races ¡V I joining him on about 15 of them, though always well behind him. This year, at 63 years old and 32 years old, respectively, he still beat me by 5 minutes! Running will always be something that I share with my Dad.
When not running on a road, my Dad loved to explore the mountains ¡V whether the Blue Ridge in Virginia, the hills of Ireland, or the mountains of Massachusetts and Maine. Growing up with that, I too have a love of the mountains. I plan to hike the Appalachian Trail in a number of years from now, and Dad was very supportive of that interest. I think that he would have met up with me often along the way. I will definitely think of him when I complete it at Katahdin.
Of all the things that I¡¦ve learned about my Dad¡¦s life, his love of teaching was probably at the top of the list. He taught here at Paine through a generation of kids. He has affected so many lives, and often keeps in touch with his former students. Recently I was looking at Dad¡¦s classically cluttered office ¡V though his coworkers tell me that Dad could put his hand on anything in that office immediately. I found it humorous that he still had lists of former students posted up on his walls. Along with those lists, though, I found numerous e-mails from former students, where he was working with them still. So, what I¡¦d like to take away from this service, and hope that you take as well, is that we can continue his legacy by teaching others about the things that he loved, and that we shared with him.
Thank you for caring about my Dad and sharing in his life.
Linda Cowan
August 30, 2004
Pat,I have been thinking about you and your family in your loss. I pray that God will give you peace and comfort at this time.
Robert Nelson
August 27, 2004
Im's a graduate of Paine College, class of 1977.Dr. Hayes was a very special person to me. I was a biology student of his. Dr. Hayes was a good man and teacher. He encourage me to do my best. I enjoyed being in his class. You would learn alot. I was very sadden to learn of his passing. May the Lord Lord be with you, at this time. Yours in Christ, Robert Nelson
Jewel Hyatt-Bingham
August 27, 2004
Pat,
My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family in the lose of your husband.
May God Bless you all.
Toni & Wink Downen
August 18, 2004
Sadie and Jonathan.....Wink and I want to offer our deepest sympathy to you in the passing of Jon's father....I read his obit and was moved by his dedication in all that he did....We love you and you are in our prayers.....God bless you all.
Carmen Butts
August 14, 2004
I am saddened and shocked to hear of Dr. Hayes passing. There will be a big void left on the Paine College campus. Although I did not have him as a teacher I was a member of the earth and ecology club in which he served as an advisor. His enthusiasm and passion for ecology along with his great knowledge of the field was amazing. He was so dedicated that he was willing to send weekends with the ecology club taking us on ecology field trips to various places. I think I can speak for everyone in the earth and ecology club and say that we truely will mourn the loss of this gifted and amazing individual.
Sadie Downen-Hayes
August 14, 2004
I would like to express my appreciation along with my husband, Jonathan's, to all of the people who have shared their remembrances and prayers about Dr. Jack Hayes. There is a great void in all of our lives with Jack's passing. We love him and miss him so much. Jack will be remembered for all of the wonderful tributes here. He will be remembered for his great wealth of knowledge, his enthusiasm, and his sheer joy of living life to its fullest. There is a line in a song that goes, ..."it's not what you take when you leave this world behind you, it's what you leave behind you when you go." Jack is leaving a great legacy behind him. My prayer is that his great works will be carried on by his Educational colleagues. I know his legacy will live on in his children and grandchildren.
Nancy Renz
August 13, 2004
I would like to extend my sympathy to the family and friends of Dr. Hayes. To Jonathan: May God grant you peace and serenity.
CR Nair
August 12, 2004
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. My words are unable to express my sentiments. I am deeply saddened and shocked by the news. During my association with Jack for the past nine years, he proved himself as an outstanding colleague, a noble soul, a person with full of enthusiasm and passion. His presence always enriched our campus life in many ways. His contribution to sciences are immense not only by his publications, and citations, but rather by the number of students and faculty he helped, inspired, mentored and encouraged to move forward in all walks of life. Jack walked with us always a step ahead, arriving first to pave the way for his colleagues, students and coworkers. He played a key role in developing the concept of outdoor classrooms to provide experiential learning to students of Environmental Sciences. He befriended himself with the campus environmental microcosm - the air, soil, the water, the trees, plants, flowers, the seeds, the birds, the insects and the bugs. His butterfly garden stands out as a silent witness of his love to Nature. His campus ecotours with students were very valuable learning experience. He actively collaborated with us in all our environmental programs, always willing to share his valuable time, and resources in every way whether it is for faculty development or for student environmental Clubs or SEEDS Campus Ecology Chapter. He was a very valuable team player, readily sharing his talents and expertise to the ultimate benefit of students and faculty. For Jack Hayes, teaching was not merely a job, it was his greatest passion. His passion for sciences often superseded his attention to his personal health and well being. He was totally unselfish, non-competitive, always ready to share his latest thoughts with others and always open to share fresh ideas. He was always cheerful and harbored no resentments to anyone. His dedication, passion, patience and persistence in his research were quite remarkable and outstanding. Although he is physically not with us, we feel his spiritual presence, as the vibrations of his immortal soul being "one" with the Universe. We believe, spiritually he is amongst us, always loving, caring, and guiding us to carry out roles to which we are destined. Please know that we keep everyone of you in our prayers while praying for his soul to rest in eternal peace!
Jonathan Hayes
August 11, 2004
To family and friends, colleagues and students,
I am Jonathan, son of this man who is being terribly missed. I have read your entries and say thank you. It is wonderful to hear that he has left positive experiences and fond memories with you all.
He loved bugs, he loved words. He loved to travel, he loved to sail. He loved teaching, he loved running. I sure hope they have all these in heaven. May peace be with you when you experience those things that made my Dad smile.
I miss him so.
Jonathan VanDyke Hayes
Fort Discovery Butterfly Campers Exploring July 2003
Cheryl Zimmerman Wynn
August 11, 2004
We are so grateful for Dr. Jack's coming into our lives at Fort Discovery. He was instrumental in our creation of the butterfly garden at the school group bus entrance on Discovery Rd. He brought the butterfly specimens to our summer camp for the children to learn to classify and then he purchased the butterflies for two butterfly releases--one here when the children had finished planting the new garden and another release at Paine College which the children also experienced. He was a generous, kind and patient educator who will be remembered here in our butterfly garden.We are forever grateful for Jack.
Minnie Givens - Paine College '81
August 9, 2004
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Dr. Hayes was truly a devoted, gifted and dedicated teacher. His caring and concern touched many lives over the years. May God richly bless you!!
Shannon Jenkins
August 6, 2004
Pat,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Im am truely saddened by this news, as I had learned about it through the UU newsletter. Please know that my thoughts and healing energies are for you and your family.
Your Druidess
Casey Howard
August 6, 2004
Pat,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. You and your family are in my thoughts.
With deepest sympathy,
Casey Howard
Jan Parsons
August 4, 2004
Pat, I am so deeply sorry to hear about Jack's death. My thoughts are with you and the family.
Jan
Sherita James
August 4, 2004
I am very sorry to hear about the loss of Dr. Jack Hayes. He was a very influential professor on Paine's campus, particularly in the Natural Sciences and Mathematics Division. His great works will forever reign, especially by the many entomology displays he so diligently constructed in the Walker Science Bldg. Those displays will help us to remember what a great man he was, and his dedication to nature and to teaching. May God bless the family in their bereavement.
Tiffany Isaac
August 4, 2004
My deepest sympathy goes out to the family. Words cannot truly express my thoughts and feelings. My prayers will continue to be with you all through these trying times. I know I speak for most, especially the Biology Graduates of 2003, when I say that the department, entomology, the "bug collection", medical terminology, ecology, seminar, and the aphids will never be the same. Dr.Hayes you will sincerely be missed.
Paine College Alumni 2003
B.S. Bology
Vanessa Davis
August 4, 2004
To the Hayes Family,
I sign this book to honor a man who helped shape my life as his student in Biology at Paine College. He demonstrated a love of science and teaching that few students get a chance to experience. He was totally dedicated to Science and life. I will miss him along with you. May God continue to bless you.
Sue Hartman
August 4, 2004
To the family and friends and acquaintances of Jack Hayes, my big brother and 'frere Jacques':
Sitting here in the quiet of a morning in Maine - the state where he and my sister and my younger brother played as children in the summer tidal pools and learned the simple joy of being - I have been greatly touched and uplifted by the esteem in which you hold Dr. Hayes / Jack -- your teacher, or colleague, or fellow music-lover and patron of the arts in all their forms, including the fine arts of the planet Earth he so cherished.
Jack hummed continuously and seriously -- but merrily and not without mischief -- along his chosen path, carving extra stolen hours out of the wee hours of the morning so he could accomplish more than one day allows most of us, sampling all life in its multi-faceted splendor has to offer. It is no secret that Jack possessed and would share with a person more information than many could take in, and that Jack was still enthusiastic about whatever the topic while his listener's boggled mind had reached capacity!
You will appreciate a few of the earliest memories I have of him:
1. He and his two close childhood friends -- perhaps 10 years old at the time -- are hurrying purposefully back and forth by the kitchen window on their way to plan in detail more adventures for what they had named AHIA... A Home in Alaska.
2. My parents stir Jack's interest in nature by sending him to Nature
Camp and by giving him a copy of Rachel Carson's prophetic book, "Silent Spring."
3. In junior high home economics, Jack made me a skirt and jacket; in manual arts, he made and gave me a table lamp which is still the one I turn out at night before going to sleep.
My brother, always active and curious about EVERYTHING, conducted his life much as a maestro leads a symphony orchestra's performance of a delightful piece of music. May we extend by our actions the passion for living which motivated this teacher and lover of all creation - from the tiniest bug to the greatness of the unknown reaches of the beyond.
On a quiet evening, we may sense his presence nearby as we drink in the masterpiece of the setting sun, or perhaps it will come in the small hours of the morning when birds call sleepily to announce the rising of the sun.
This is my wish for us: that we make time to delight in the small things and that we remain grateful for the time we shared with Jack while he was visible!
Susan Emilie Hayes Hartman
Roberta Frails Bell
August 4, 2004
Deepest sympathy on the passing of Dr.Hayes. (Former student/Class of 1974)
Angela Wingate
August 3, 2004
To the Hayes Family,
I was shocked to hear of Dr. Hayes passing. He was a great help to the guides at the Augusta Canal. He was always willing to help with plant identification.
He will be missed
Roberta Troy
August 3, 2004
To the family of Dr. Hayes:
I was shocked and saddened to hear of the recent passing of my former colleague. I met Jack 24 years ago when I was hired as a new faculty member in the Biology department at Paine. I was most impressed with his dedication to the field and his work with the students. He will be sorely missed because when one thinks of the Biology Department at Paine College, they think of Jack Hayes as well. May God bless all of you during your time of bereavement.
A former colleague,
Roberta Troy
Ronald G McMillan Sr
August 3, 2004
Whow! As a former student of Dr. Hayes, I am deeply sadden to here of his passing. He was my professor and mentor in biology. His passion for the subject made it more interesting and easy to learn. He was truly dedicated and interested in molding young minds to become scientists.
To the family of my friend and professor, Dr. Hayes, I pray that along with your personal memories that the memories of his love for the outdoors and Paine College be remembered. Also, his teaching and mentoring of young African Americans... preparing them to compete in any academic environment in the world be remembered.
His legacy will always resonate within.
Adrian Small-Jones (Paine College Alumni)
August 3, 2004
To the Hayes Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Words cannot express how Dr. Hayes touched my life as a former student of Paine College. His passion for teaching is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
God Bless You!!
Ken Dixon
August 2, 2004
To the Hayes family,
I knew Jack from his work at SRS during the summers and through his involvement in the local running community. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Only a few weeks ago I spoke with him at length at the running club meeting. Our prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Josh Suarez
August 2, 2004
Pat, I was very sorry to hear about the death of your husband. I pray that you will feel peace even in the midst of this sorrow.
Donald Reid
August 2, 2004
The power of influence to influence so many was a gift to Dr. Hayes. This gift was demonstrated, during my enrollment, in the classrooms, halls and walkways of Paine College. Class of "78".
DEIDRA BRYANT
August 2, 2004
DR.HAYES WAS A GREAT TEACHER, HE WILL BE MISSED.
Dr. and Mrs. Wu-Chieh Cheng
August 2, 2004
We want to express sympathy to Mrs. Hayes.
Bill lawless
August 2, 2004
Pat, I was deeply saddened by the news of Jack's passing. His loss will be a terrible blow for you, but it is astonishing to me that someone so vital and full of life and important to me could be taken from us when he was in the full bloom of contributing to our world. I will miss his presence. Nearly every day he and I would chat about this and that in the fleld of science--he was proud of his work and of the science he practiced. And almost always he would send me notes of things he felt would pique my scientific curiousity. He was a biologist, but also a polymath, and pleased as punch to have someone to share his interests in understanding our universe. But he was also my friend, and I will miss him.
Reggie Williams
August 2, 2004
Mrs. Hayes and family,
The thing I will always remember about Jack is the tour of trees he gave of the Paine College campus...he was a real lover of nature and did all he could to beautify the campus. My prayer is that your many fond memories of Jack's love for his work, and his commitment to always be in harmony with the rest of the universe will strengthen and comfort you in the days ahead. Jack was a very decent guy.
Alice Simpkins
August 2, 2004
Jack was a wonderful friend and colleague. I will miss him.
Kathy Lynch
August 2, 2004
Pat, We are so sorry about Jack, I know you will miss him terribly.
Maria Beard
August 2, 2004
Pat,
I am truly sorry for your loss. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Maria
Lisa (Bishop) Casey
August 2, 2004
To Jacks Family, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts are with you.
Lisa (Bishop) Casey (Georgianne Clayton's eldest daughter)
Marylyn and Bruce Reeves
August 2, 2004
Pat and family,
We were so shocked to see this in the paper. Our deepest sympathy to you all. Jack will be greatly missed in our Church "family".
Showing 1 - 46 of 46 results
Make a Donation
in John Hayes's name
Memorial Events
for John Hayes
How to support John's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor John Hayes's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
