Tributes

John William Hayes was born in Dallas, Texas to Elmer Stanton Hayes and Alice Inez Head. He passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior, Tuesday afternoon, January 17 following a tragic car accident. John will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality. He possessed the unique gift of making others feel special from the moment he met them. He never met a stranger and turned many acquaintances into lifelong friends with his infectious enthusiasm. John Hayes was a man of great Christian faith. His ability to ask questions made you ponder life deeply and appreciate your family and belief. He elevated everyone who knew him. He always strove to be a better man and encouraged others to do better, be better and help others in a meaningful way. John was truly grateful for his family and his success, living by example reflected in the thoughtful notes he always dropped into the “gratitude jar.” Family was everything to John. He spoke often and glowingly with pride about his wife, Amy and doted on their daughter, Hayden. He was tremendously proud of their accomplishments and cherished family time with them at home and on trips. In addition to his immediate family, the Hayes welcomed so many others into their home for holidays and celebrations. Most men would envy the love he gave and received in his personal life. It arose from the genuine affection he shared for people, caring about their lives and interests. He shared and fed off the joy of others and their successes. John loved music and theater. He traveled with a Christian singing group in his youth and relished going to the theater. Hayden and John shared a love for Phantom of the Opera, Hayden being one of the few who would continually attend performances with him. He loved gospel music, Luther Vandross and cheesy Hallmark movies. John met his personal challenges head on, fighting medical illnesses and beating cancer by improving his health with determination and grace. He recently became a pickleball enthusiast filling the San Antonio Country Club courts with enthusiasm and energy with his “Pickleball Mafia” friends. A proud Texas Tech Raider, John spent his professional life working successfully in the oil and gas industry. However, his greatest passion was spent giving to his community. His service and leadership impacted not only everyone he knew, but also San Antonio, in ways that can’t be fully measured. A few of the many areas John impacted were his service as Board Chairman of the San Antonio Area Foundation, Board Chairman of Santikos Enterprises, Board member of San Antonio Federal Credit Union and City Education Partners. As a founding Board member of the Somerset Education Foundation, John became a champion for this severely underserved school district. His influence inspired his daughter Hayden to pursue her dream of becoming an educator, following in the steps of her mother, Amy. John’s family and friends are comforted in knowing that this seemingly senseless tragedy is not an early ending but the beginning of his journey to the perfection of heaven that we cannot fully understand. A beginning of what he would have wanted for us that survive him on this imperfect earth is to love deeper, give greater and praise the Lord louder than we have ever done. In John’s precious memory we, “…do not grieve like the rest of men who have no hope…” 1 Thessalonians 4:13 John was predeceased in death by his parents, Elmer Hayes and Inez Hayes Klingsporn and stepfather Paul Klingsporn. He is survived by his wife, Amy Carr Hayes and daughter Hayden Reese Hayes; siblings, Stan Hayes (Kenny), Connie Swain (Earl) and Cricket Lee; brothers-in-law, Andy and Greg Carr. His Nieces and Nephews are Kara Daniel (Jason), Stephany Hotaling (Adam), Kisha Weir (Tom), A.J. Wills (Will), Natasha Lee, Preston, Ella and Beckett Carr, Joaquin and Brody Carr. A memorial service celebrating John’s life will be held: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 at 1:00 PM Christ Episcopal Church 510 Belknap Place Honorary Pallbearers are; Kevin Butler, Louis Cooper, Doug Coyle, Mike Elrod, Chris Fay, Jim Foody, Andy Hill, Saul Hinojosa, Conoly Koontz, Jay McAnelly, Sam Menta, Chet Nastala, Caprice Ritcheson, Bobby Rosenthal, Brad Tolin, Ken Trainer, Bob Widner and Sam Youngblood. A scholarship at the Somerset ISD Educational Foundation has been set up in John’s name should you wish to honor him. See www.SISDEF.com or checks can be sent to : SISDEF PO Box 34 Somerset, TX 78069 One of John’s famous sayings was, “If you’re not early, you’re late.” We know he’s saving a place for us all!

Tributes

John William Hayes

May 17, 1959 - January 17, 2023