Thomas Franklin Hayes

Col. Thomas F. Hayes died February 20, 2019 at the age of 99 at his home in Stanardsville, VA.

He was the son of the late Harold C. Hayes and Lulu Ann Wahl Hayes of Bremen, Indiana. His two brothers preceded him in death.

Col. Hayes was married to the late Betty Katheryn Parker of Champaign, Illinois for 56 years. Born to them were five children, Thomas Parker Hayes of Vacaville, CA, Patricia Susann Peck of Stanardsville, VA, Robert Franklin Hayes of Napa, CA, Bruce Frederick Hayes also of Stanardsville, VA, and Steven Andrew Hayes of Sherwood, OR. He later married Betty Louise Hinton in 2001, who resides in Stanardsville, VA.

Col. Hayes was born in Champaign, Illinois in 1920. He received his basic education at Champaign and obtained his B.S. Degree in marketing at the University of Illinois. He volunteered to join the Army in July 1941 as a Second Lieutenant in the Reserve Forces.

As a Captain during World War II, he commanded Battery A, 93d Armored Field artillery Battalion in Africa, Italy, Southern France, and Austria. His awards and decorations included the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Commendation Medal and six clusters and invasion arrow head to the European Campaign Medal. He was later employed as program manager for the logistics element of the Safeguard Anti-Ballistics Missile System. After 36 years, he retired to operate his farm in Greene County, VA.

He was active in the Republican politics at the county level, was the past president of the Central Virginia Chapter, the Retired Officer Association and a member of the American Legion. He served as chairman of the Greene County Electoral Board and was an active member of the Friends of the Library. Tom was an Eagle Scout and was a Scout Master for two different troops. He attributed scouting as major influence in his life.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at Stanardsville United Methodist Church with Pastor Chuck Winner officiating.

A graveside service will held at 9:00 AM Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that contributions be made in Col. Hayes’s memory to the Greene County Rescue Squad, PO Box 302 Stanardsville, VA 22973.

An online guestbook is available at www.ryanfuneral.com

Ryan Funeral Home of Ruckersville is in charge of arrangements.