Rickey Lenn "Rick" Hayes

HOUSTON, TX - EARLY AM - Rickey Lenn (Rick) Hayes of Brownwood, Texas, passed away on Sunday, May 25, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 68. He was born in Boise, Idaho, on February 24, 1957, to Leonard Robert Hayes and Margaret Ann (Sanders) Hayes. When his Dad was discharged from the Air Force, they made their home in Odessa, Texas.

Rick was an avid athlete his entire life. He cultivated many lifelong friendships because of sports. He played football and baseball on the neighborhood street, Pop Warner football in elementary school, football and basketball in junior high, and summer league baseball. If there was a game going on, he would be there. He lettered in football, basketball, and baseball at Odessa High School, but his true love was baseball. Baseball would take him to Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, and the University of Texas at El Paso, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. After college, Rick was rebranded "Coach Hayes." He coached at Milam Elementary School, Bowie Junior High School, and Odessa High School, all in Odessa. He concluded his coaching career at Elsik High School in Houston. He was the Varsity Baseball Coach at both Odessa High School and Elsik High School. Rick's student athletes admired him for his knowledge of sports, but they also knew he cared for them as people, paving their way for success in life. Rick was a remarkable influence on people of all ages.

Rick was a longtime member of Temple Baptist Church in Odessa. He was also a member of Tallowood Baptist Church in Houston, and most recently attended Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood.

He leaves behind a brother, Robert (Randy) Hayes and wife Sheri of Russellville, Tennessee; two daughters, Jaclyn (Nicci) Gowan and husband Will of Madison, Mississippi, and Alisa Hayes of Brownwood; three grandchildren, Jeremy Hauser of Ft. Worth Texas, Hayden Hauser of Madison, and Elijah Key of Brownwood; one niece, Chelsei Vigil of Waco, Texas, and one great niece, Madison Vigil also of Waco; and a host of cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Arrangements are entrusted to Felix H. Morales Funeral Home in Houston. Services will be held in Odessa on July 12, 12:00pm at the Odessa High School Fieldhouse, 1301 N. Dotsy. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.