Ron Hayes

Tribute to Ron

Ron wasn´t just my stepdad-he was my Dad in every way that mattered.

I still remember the first time I met him. I was just a kid, and right away, I looked up to him. At a time when I didn´t have a strong male role model-aside from my big brother Ralph-Ron stepped in. He was only 29 himself, but even then, he rose to the challenge and became the father figure I didn´t know I was missing.

One of my most vivid memories of Ron was picking him up from the airport in Midland, Texas. It was just a few days before Christmas, and money was tight. We weren´t expecting much that year-but when Ron walked off that plane dressed as Santa Claus, dragging a giant sack of gifts for all of us, I´ll never forget it. No one asked him to do it. He just wanted to give us the kind of Christmas we´d never forget. And he did.

Throughout the years, Ron was always there for me-even in the small ways that didn´t feel small at the time. Whenever I forgot my lunch or lunch money, I could call him, and no matter where he was or what he was doing, he´d drive 15 or 20 miles just to make sure I was taken care of. I didn´t realize it then, but those moments meant everything.

It took me a long time-20 years, in fact-to fully understand what Ron meant to me. But I´m grateful I got the chance to tell him how much he truly mattered to me, and how lucky I felt to have him in my life. When I needed a Dad the most, Ron was there.

Ron-and his entire family-welcomed me and my family with open hearts. He will always be family to me, and I will carry his love and his memory with me for the rest of my life.

Prayers to his family and friends. My memory of Ronnie is as of an 8 year old. When he was 9 and I was 8 we played on the Giants in the East Ridge Little League. He was a hard throwing pitcher for a 9 year old, I was his catcher. RIP Ronnie.

I was deeply saddened to hear about Ron´s passing. He was truly a wonderful person with a kind and generous heart.
My thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.

wish i had a picture of Ron and me in that yellow VW superbug. Our friendship was in our youth but i love my memories with Ronnie.