Harry James Hayes

Published 2:25 am Sunday, July 27, 2014

Harry James Hayes, 86, of Bowling Green, died July 23, 2014, at The Medical Center

He was a son of the late John Morgan and Audrey Lilly Lewis Hayes. He founded Hayes Shoes 52 years ago. Harry was a founding member of Christ United Methodist Church, where he served for 50 years, a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge and the Walk to Emmaus, as well as a former member of the Optimist Club. He was drafted to the Army and achieved the rank of corporal at the end of the Korean War. He was a graduate of Bristow High School and received a business degree from Austin Peay University. Harry was a loving husband to Dolores, who was a teacher at McNeill School and a great mentor to his children and grandchildren.

His survivors include his wife, Dolores Kerstetter Hayes; his children, Marsha McReynolds (Dwight), Russ Hayes (Rhonda), Jeff Hayes (Cindy) and Sharon Strange (Mack); 11 grandchildren, Joe Caudill (Tara), Terra Cooper (Randy), Josh Hayes, Lauren Hayes, David Hayes, Austin Strange, Michael Strange, Sarah Strange, Elizabeth Strange, Telisa West (Mike) and Christina Steele; six great-grandchildren, two sisters, Sue Myers (Cecil) and Erlene Ewing (John); many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces and cousins.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Christ United Methodist Church, with burial in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation is from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Hardy & Son Funeral Home, Bowling Green chapel, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Monday at the church.