Thomas Floyd Hayes

 Thomas Floyd Hayes was born May 31, 1918 in Augusta, Kansas to Birdeen and L.D. Hayes. He graduated from Wichita High School in 1936.Tom moved to Auga Dulce in 1936 to work on the construction of gasoline plants. During World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, where he spent two and one half years serving in the United States and the South Pacific. After being discharged he worked in his dad’s well servicing business. He returned to Texas in 1950 and was employed by the Tenneco Corporation for 33 years. During this time he supervised the construction of five gasoline plants and one chemical plant. One of his hobbies was flying and restoring planes. He had the advantage of having the renowned Lloyd Stearman as his flight instructor. Tom and Martha O’Quinn married in 1948. After Martha died, Tom and Sunshine Wilkerson, his neighbor of 31 years, were married. Tom and Sunshine enjoyed many years of traveling. He embraced his hobby of restoring Model A Ford’s and they enjoyed the adventures of ownership. After living in LaPorte for 63 years the Hayes moved to Helotes, Texas to be near their son and wife, Fred and Vicki Wilkerson. Tom was a member of the University Methodist Church of San Antonio, Texas. He was a member of the LaPorte Masonic Lodge #857 and held a Scottish Rite 32nd Degree. Tom held a Lifetime Membership in The Greater Houston Model A Restorer’s Club. He enjoyed the Texas State and Regional tours where he received the Most Experienced Driver Award for the past seven years. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and one sister. He is survived by his wife Sunshine Hayes, Fred and Vicki Wilkerson, granddaughter Holly Wilkerson, many dear cousins, dear relatives in Missouri, Kansas, and loving friends. Funeral services and Masonic Honors will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, July 10, 2008 in Crawford-Crim-Bryan Funeral Home with Rev. Jack Womack, officiating. Pallbearers will be Pat Elzey, Bill Coleman, Reed Tolls, James Graves, Bryce Hayes, Doug Latimer. Interment will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please make your donations to the First United Methodist Church of LaPorte, Texas, the LaPorte Masonic Lodge, or the charity of your choice. Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress from 7/23/2008 - 7/25/2008

Published in the Jacksonville Daily Progress