James R. Hayes Sr.

James R. HAYES, Sr. May 30, 1920 ~ December 18, 2008 On the day honoring his 89th birthday the family of Jim Hayes scattered his ashes in his beloved Puget Sound and said goodbye to a great husband, father and grandfather. Jim was born to Martha and Elmer (Opie) Hayes in Appelton, Wisconsin. His family later moved to Tacoma, Washington where he graduated from Stadium High School. Jim headed off to the University of Washington where he majored in engineering. In 1942 he left school and joined the Army (47th Infantry Battalion). He always enjoyed the sport of shooting so the infantry was a good fit - he was a great trap shooter up until the past couple of years. Jim shipped out to fight in North Africa, received his commission and returned to the States badly wounded. Like so many soldiers Jim benefitted from new advances in medicine and managed to get back on his feet. Following his service years Jim worked for Norton Clapp in several property management positions for the Metropolitan Building Corporation. In 1959 Jim moved his family to Seattle where he managed the project to build the Norton Building, the first glass office building in Seattle. Along with trap shooting Jim loved to sail, fish, hunt, carve, travel, read, and to spend time with his family and many friends. Jim leaves behind his loving and devoted wife Ruth to whom he was married for 67 years; daughters Melinda Scott (Doug) and Barbara Mahoney (Joe) and son James, Jr. (Audrey) along with six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.