Hayden Griffin Haby Sr.

UVALDE Hayden Griffin Haby Sr., 85, of Uvalde, known worldwide for his flock of fine-haired Angora goats, loved for his generosity of spirit, died Sept. 29, 2013. Visitation is from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, 2013, at Rushing-Estes-Knowles, 220 S Getty St, Uvalde. A memorial service, officiated by Jerry Scott, is at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, at First Baptist Church of Rocksprings, 500 Hwy 55, Rocksprings. Hayden was born Feb. 11, 1928, in Uvalde, Texas, to Tom Vance Haby and Sarah Crump Haby. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Doris Young Haby; son Hayden Griffin Haby Jr, and wife Kandi of Corpus Christi; daughter Ivy Dennette and husband Hugh Coates of Brackettville; brother Tom Vance Haby Jr. of Brackettville; and grandchildren, nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Raymond Albert Haby; brother-in-law Seth Edward Young; and granddaughter Venetia Ivy Haby. Hayden was a product of the Depression. He attended Uvalde High School where life long friends were made playing football and he was named All District for the Uvalde Coyotes. While serving his country, he played Army Ball with Doak Walker before earning football scholarships at SWTJC and Texas Tech University, where he earned his degree in Ag Ed. He later received his Masters in Education from Texas A&M. His life was lived in service to others. Haby was the first gg teacher at Dripping Springs and Fort Davis, and for 20 years, he served as Edwards County Agent. He was recognized as outstanding ag teacher and county agent. He ranched in Edwards, Uvalde and Kinney counties along with Queensland, Australia. As County Extension Agent, Haby worked with Governor Dolph Briscoe to help eradicate the screwworm. He also developed a feed ration that has been used by many major show champions and ranchers to develop their flocks. His honors and awards include being a highly regarded judge and speaker at Angora goat shows and seminars, which included the countries of Australia, Canada, England and France. His high-quality Angora goats were exported to six foreign countries. Haby won the prestigious Hamanaka Mohair Trophy, awarded by the Japanese to the highest-quality mohair producer, two years in a row, and the British Mohair Spinners Award, four times. He was also named outstanding agricultural man of the year in Uvalde County. Haby and three other prominent stockmen imported the first purebred South African Angora goats and the first purebred South African Boer goats into the United States. Haby's 85 years on this earth were spent helping others, whether it be grafting Pecan trees, loaning out the best of his herd or mentoring young 4H and FFA members. There was nothing he enjoyed more than passing on his wisdom, especially to his grandson and namesake Hayden Griffin Haby III, whom he shared a special bond. A heart felt thanks to Hugh Coates and Chris Carper for their friendship and care that allowed Haby to continue ranching to the end. The family acknowledges also the loving services of his caregivers, Irene Pineda, Lucy Rodriquez and Rosemary Arreola. The family requests memorials to American Stewards of Liberty at PO Box 1190, Taylor, TX 76574.