George Tom Hayes  1939-2024

George Tom Hayes was born April 26, 1939 to Olen Reneau and Rosa Lee Patrick Hayes in Houston. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 60 years, Betty Gail Panter Hayes; and lifelong friend, George Arthur Russell. He is survived by his daughter, Anna Kathryn Hayes Cooper and husband, Todd; son, Andrew Reneu Hayes and husband David; daughter, Amy Mariah Hayes-Weissert and husband, Chip; son, Chad Dailey and wife, Amie; grandchildren, Hannah Sedgwick, Afua Yeboah Ofei-Awuku, Rosa Hayes Wright, Chase Weissert, Briana Hays, Hayden Weissert, Georgia Gail Weissert, Shelby Smith, Kason Trimble, Jacob Dailey, Gavin Dailey, Kalli Trimble and Kaden Trimble; and six great-grandchildren.

He was raised in the Calvary/Bellfonte community, outside of Golden, from the age of 2 and graduated from Golden High School ahead of his same-aged peers as he started school early. Being a late in life baby, he was a wee bit spoiled, but one of the kindest and big-hearted men you could find in all the Piney Woods region. Friends and family would boast that at the age of four, George could be given a string of numbers to add, multiple, etc. and he’d have the answer, but couldn’t tell you how he did it in his head. He had a passion for dates, time and a knack for remembering everyone’s birthday. After attending TJC and SFA where he ran track, he eventually graduated from Sam Houston State University with the support of wife and first-born child living on campus. He was a dedicated member of the Ravens/Kappa Alpha Fraternity attending reunions up to this past decade.

George married Betty Gail on Sept. 8,1962 and being George, he took her to a Dallas Texans football game for their honeymoon. It was she who “got” him to finish his college education. They raised all their children, in the same community which he was raised, in a home established by his father and proudly kept throughout the years.

George farmed watermelons and sweet potatoes primarily with some tomatoes, Irish potatoes and onions mixed in. He co-owned a Massey Ferguson dealership in the 1960s, and no later deciding that he was tired of working in one sector of agriculture, he took to another, in the timber business in the late 1970s, and living in East Texas, it made him a good living. He was known as an honest business man and is held in high regard in all fields.  

George was a man of deep faith, and he and Betty Gail were involved members at First Baptist Church in Alba. He and his wife were training union teachers, he was head usher, served on the finance, personnel, properties, numerous search committees, and president of the church board. George had a horrible stutter, but he overcame that, after several years of praying in church. He was passionate serving as a Gideon and after decades of being asked, he accepted he was worthy of ordination and was sworn in as a deacon in 2010. His last public appearance was for the note burning of the new sanctuary and facilities at Alba FBC.

George loved his community, state and country. He served on the Alba-Golden School Board for many years. He also served as board member for the Golden Water Supply District, Sand Springs Cemetery, Wood County Appraisal District and several other boards throughout Wood County. George loved supporting and attending youth sports, Alba community events and the Golden Sweet Potato Festival. He was a die hard Longhorns fan, was passionate about golf and loved playing dominos in downtown Golden for decades with various farmers and friends from the community.

A celebration of life will be held Aug. 31 at 2 p.m. in the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church in Alba. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider a donation for the George and Betty Hayes Scholarship foundation.