Thomas Williams Hayes' Obituary
Thomas William Hayes, 64, died March 8, 2021 of heart failure at Heart Hospital of Plano. He lived in Richardson, Texas.
Tom was born January 30, 1958 in Roswell, New Mexico to Robert Eudean Hayes and Joan Thompson Hayes. Married November 13, 2016 to Benjamin Eakin in Durant, Oklahoma. He graduated from Goddard High School in Roswell. His love was music. He was also in the Goddard High chorus as well as the entertainment group called the Swingers. He was also in many musicals, but his favorite was The Sound of Music in which he played Captain Von Trapp. He attended West Texas University, was a member of a service fraternity, appeared in the outdoor musical Texas at Palo Duro Canyon, and graduated in 1979 with a degree in Music and Education. He had a variety of jobs over the years including many years with Eakin Press in Austin, co-owner of Edward-William Publishing, owner of Betty Kay Flowers in Roswell, and designer at North Star Florist in Garland.
Tom is survived by his spouse and partner of 39 years, Benjamin Eakin, sister Nancy Hunter-Hirst, brother Terry Hayes, niece Sabrina Prairie and her husband Ken, great-niece Caitlyn Prairie, sister-in-law Lesa Hayes, and niece Rachel, nephew Keegan Hayes, and sister-in-law Judith Eakin and step-nephew Jeroen Sluiter. He was pre-deceased by his parents, brother Tim Hayes and nephew Travis Hayes.
There will be no funeral, but a memorial will be planned for a time in the future. Cremation is being handled by Restland Funeral Home.
When I Close My Eyes (by W. Jason Duncan)
When I close my eyes
You are here
Your charisma, your cheer, your tenderness
I feel you here
When I close my eyes
You are with me
Your spirit, your beauty, your charm
I feel you with me
When I close my eyes
You are in my arms
Your warmth, your compassion, your love
I feel you in my arms
No matter how far apart
Nor what the circumstance
I feel you here with me, in my arms; always
When I close my eyes.
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thomas?
Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomas you’ll never forget.
How did Thomas make you smile?

