James G. Hayhurst Sr.

HAYHURST James G. Sr., 69, passed away on Sunday, April 4, 2010. He was the son/ step-son of Leona (Tina) Hazen and James A. Hazen of Jacksonville. He graduated from DuPont High School after serving in the nationally acclaimed DuPont High School Band for four years, and also graduated from the University of Florida where he was active in student government and many other organizations: Phi Gamma Delta, President of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, original member of the FLORIDIANS, an ensemble of men who toured the state and the Southeast spreading interest and good will for the University. He also served in the Men's Glee Club, Choral Union, and University Choir. Jim had a successful thirty year career in the South-Central Home Office of Prudential and held several positions of merit with the Corporate Office. He continued his interest in the Arts by serving as a founding member of the Arts Assembly of Jacksonville Board of Directors, Performing Arts Director of Arts Festival '76 and VP and performer at Theater Jacksonville. He was on the planning committee for the combination fund raiser for Jacksonville Art Museum and Theater Jacksonville for the Gloriana Fete, also in the '70s, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce's Business and the Arts Committee. Jim was an original member of the "The Chamber Company," an ensemble that performed throughout Jacksonville in the '80s, and served as President of the Jacksonville Concert Chorale, the choral group for the Symphony for many years. As a representative for FCCJ he co-produced two major works with the Jacksonville Symphony: Carmina Burana and a Lerner and Lowe Pops Concert. Having a second home in Keystone Heights for over 30 years, Jim became active in the restoration of the drought-suffering lakes in the region. He served as President of The Lake Brooklyn Civic Assn and was Chairman of the Keystone Heights Lake Advisory Committee, a consortium consisting of the Clay County Commission, St. Johns River Water Management District, Camp Blanding, and DuPont Mining Co. Together they made many changes within the upstream watershed to effectively improve the flow of water to the lakes. These changes are still in place today and have the potential to continue to improve the lake region. Jim's college fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, has a motto: "Not for college days alone." He took this seriously and was involved in getting his Chapter re-established at UF. He then served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, a graduate advisory group to the new chapter, then later as the President of the Graduate Assn, the graduate group that owns the property on campus. He was the treasure for a refurbishing campaign that raised and improved the property with over $91,000 from graduate members. Mr. Hayhurst is preceded in death by his father, Glen W. Hayhurst. Surviving are his wife, Anne Marks Hayhurst; his children, James G. Hayhurst, Jr., (Shawn) and Shelley S. Hayhurst. Funeral services will be held at the Graveside in Oaklawn Cemetery at 11:00 am on Thursday, April 8, 2010. OAKLAWN CEMETERY & FUNERAL HOME, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com