Leslie Herman Hayes' Obituary
HAYES, LESLIE HERMAN was born December 14 1919 in Washington, Oklahoma, died October 15, 2012 in Dallas, Texas. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Essie Hayes; and siblings, Estelle Hayes, Lucille Hayes, Jerry Mack Hayes, Gladys Aday, Carrie Morris, and Ernestine Mayo. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lonora Merriman Hayes; brothers, Gerald Hayes and wife, Regina of Purcell, Oklahoma, Jack Hayes and wife, Jean of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sons, Ronald Hayes and wife, Janet of Lindale, Connell Hayes and wife, Sheri of Garland, Texas; five grandchildren, Matthew Hayes of Mesquite, Texas, Todd Hayes and wife, Emily of Denville, New Jersey, Mark Hayes of Garland, Texas, Shelley Hayes of Garland, Texas, and Philip Hayes of Dallas, Texas; two great-grandsons, Riley and Ethan Hayes of New Jersey; and numerous nieces and nephews. Leslie grew up during the hard days of the depression, working the family sharecropper farm. Good memories included being the pitcher of the 1938 fast-pitch softball state championship team from Dibbel High School in Oklahoma. In 1940 he moved to Dallas, Texas to work at Southern Aircraft, where he met Lonora Merriman. They married on October 15, 1945. After two years in the U. S. Army Air Corps during World War II, he worked for 30 years at Texas Instruments, helping with projects such as the graphing calculator and the moon landing. He enjoyed gardening, golf, traveling, and especially woodworking. He was well known for his bird houses, which were sold around Texas to support the mission work of Highlands Christian Church, where he and Lonora were charter members. Family will receive friends on Thursday, October 18th from 6-8 PM at Restland Funeral Home in Dallas. Funeral Services will be Friday, October 19th at 10:30 AM at Highlands Christian Church, 9949 McCree Road in Dallas.
What’s your fondest memory of Leslie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Leslie?
Share a story where Leslie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Leslie you’ll never forget.
How did Leslie make you smile?