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BORN
1960
DIED
2009
Eugene Hayden Obituary
Funeral: Noon Friday, Sept. 11, in the chapel of Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst, with the Rev. Jim Rigsby officiating. Interment: 2 p.m. Friday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Lucas Funeral Home.
Memorials: Donations may be made in Eugene's name to the American Cancer Society.
Eugene was born March 24, 1960, in Rhodesia, now known as Zimbabwe. He spent his early years in London and Ireland. At the age of 12, he moved to the United States and became a U.S. citizen. He felt it an honor to be able to call the United States his home.
After graduation, Eugene proudly joined the Navy to serve his country. As an avionics technician, he was part of the Strike Fighter Squadron 11, known as the Red Rippers. He served for six years and traveled the world extensively on the USS Kennedy.
After the Navy, Eugene worked as an avionics technician and logistics engineer with Bell Helicopter, TAC Worldwide and Global Contract Professionals for 24 years.
Eugene had a passion for traveling and photography. He enjoyed music, art, movies and all things Irish. As a sports enthusiast, he enjoyed basketball and soccer, but his favorite was Notre Dame football. He also liked a weekend of camping and fishing. Eugene looked forward to the opportunities of worship and fellowship with his Bible study group from Christ Chapel.
He was preceded in death by his father, Leonard Hayden; stepfather, Ray Nickles; and uncle, Jim Hayden.
Survivors: Mother, Rita Nickles; sister, Natasha Garvin and husband, Mack; dear cousin, Ciaran Hayden and wife, Kim; godsons, Lucas Hayden and Chris Knoerr; best friend, Klaus Strassmann and his family; extended family in Ireland and London; and a host of friends from church and work.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Hayden
stephen Hayden
October 13, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Vernessa Mullins
September 29, 2009
We are so sorry to hear about your loss of Eugene. Our prayers and thoughts are with you all Aunt Rita, Natasha and Mack.
With Deepest Sympathy
Vernessa Jay and Family
Sydney Australia
Marilyn Baker
September 11, 2009
My prayers are with the family who are having to cope with the loss of their son, brother.\, and friend. I know this is most difficult time.
Just know that a lot of people are thinking of you and including you in their prayers.
Love,
Marilyn
Stacy Hayden
September 11, 2009
For those of us who knew Eugene, I wanted to share a few emails I received from him over the years. They make me smile and really show the kind of remarkable person he was and the easy, happy-go-lucky personality he had. I will always remember him this way.
Some of you might recall he was a huge Snoopy/ Peanuts fan. Well, Eugene was always known affectionately to me as “Snoopy” and I was always “Woodstock” or “Wood” to him. May these warm your heart and make you smile. I have not altered these in any way!
PS: You’re a good man, Charlie Brown….
Email #1 of 5 (when he hadn’t heard from me in a while)
From: Hayden, Eugene
Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 9:02 AM
To: Hayden, Stacy
Subject: Lost wood alert
This is a Snoopy rescue team alert. It appears we have lost contact with Wood. This is the Snoopy team captain calling all team members into action. We must gain contact with Wood at all costs. WAIT A DOGGONE MINUTE; I’m the only member of the Snoopy Rescue Team. RATS! Well anyhow I must regain contact with WOOD. HELLO WOOD……COME IN…..ARE YOU OK…..
Eugene L. Hayden
Logistics Analyst
Email #2 of 5
From: Hayden, Eugene
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 7:55 AM
To: Hayden, Stacy
Subject: Fall on the horizon
Wood,
Well, fall is on its way. Even though it hasn’t quiet arrived just yet I can feel it in the air. Fall or autumn, as I like to call it, is my favorite time of year. I think because of the melancholy feeling it has. Summer is all go.go.go and fall brings peace and quite. The autumn also brings the changing of the colors. Sometimes you can even here the leaves drop out in the woods. The Charlie Brown series goes into full swing and some of us still believe Linus will see the Great Pumpkin. Snoopy trots out to climb in his Sopwith Camel to do battle with the evil Red Baron and all is well in the world.
Snoop
Email #3 of 5 (shortly after he went back to work at Bell Helicopter)
From: Hayden, Eugene
Sent: Thursday, June 05, 2008 1:26 PM
To: Hayden, Stacy
Subject: Hey you
Hello Wood,
Hope you’re in good form. I’m trying to ramp up on my tasks at hand but sometimes it doesn’t move fast enough for me. I’m anxious to get going so I won’t fall behind later. I’m on the ground floor of what I’ve been assigned and am excited about the challenges before me. Tomorrow I’ll sit down with the powers that be and we’ll try to iron out a plan of attack for what I need to accomplish. I’ve also edited the pictures I took on my trip and will try to send some to you. I still worry about you, and hope you are managing ok. I was really surprised at the amount of hits I got on career builder on my resume. I’m still getting calls. I’m already giving Klaus heartache since I’ve been back. I called him first thing Monday morning and said I heard there was an accident in training and knew it involved him somehow. Of course there was no accident but if there was he would certainly be involved in it. Well I better get back at it, whatever back at it involves.
You’re true friend, Snoop
Email #4 of 5 (Eugene in one of his teasing moods again!)
From: Hayden, Eugene
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 12:44 PM
To: Hayden, Stacy
Subject: Knucklehead sighted in Utah
Hey Wood,
I just heard in the news that there was a rare sighting of a knucklehead in Utah. They said that she appeared to be driving a green Jeep Grand Cherokee Orvis edition. You can imagine the stir it caused. I was shocked by the news?!?!?!? But soon realized!!****it was you. Well there you are….a rarity indeed!!!
A true friend I am…HeeHee
Email #5 of 5 (when he was working in Wisconsin in the middle of winter)
From: Hayden, Eugene
Sent: Monday, January 15, 2007 9:57 AM
To: Hayden, Stacy
Subject: Snow, Beautiful Snow
Hi Wood,
We are getting lots of the white stuff!!!! Snoopy Dance!!! Olay!—Olay, Olay, Olay…..Do the hustle….
Eugene L. Hayden
Logistics Analyst II
September 10, 2009
We want to extend our sympathy to Eugene's family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Larry and Cheryl Plunkett
Steve and Lenora Gerrish
September 10, 2009
I've known Eugene longer than any friend I've ever had. We went through many trials and tribulations together, including puberty and the awkward teenage years, right up through marriage and into middle age. Although I lost frequent contact with him after moving to west Texas, I just saw him last year at my mother's funeral. It is hard to believe that so much has happened in that brief 12 months or so. Too many great times and wonderful memories, deep discussions and broken hearts to mention, but he will be greatly missed by both Lenora and me. My condolences to his family, I will never forget him.
Janet Larson
September 10, 2009
As an extended member of the Strassmann family, I know what a good friend Eugene was and how much he meant to them. My sympathies to all his family and friends.
September 10, 2009
Our time we spent with Eugene was brief but our friendship will never be forgoten. He is that special kind of person that comes around once in a liftime. We were honored to know him and will be missed deeply. God bless, Pepo and Jeannie Olivas
September 9, 2009
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. My heart goes out to you at this time and in the days ahead.
With Deepest Sympathy,
Melissa Le
HHE
Delton Parker
September 9, 2009
We of the United Auto/Aerospace Workers, Local#218 send our deepest regrets at the death of Eugene. Our prayers are with you and the family at this time and in the days to come. Chaplain Delton Parker . 98 West Hurst Blvd. Hurst Tx. 76053
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