Joseph Dennis Hayes Obituary (1933 - 2017)

Joseph Dennis Hayes, Jr. Joe Hayes, age 83, died early morning Friday, March 24, 2017. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was born in Dillon County, South Carolina, on July 9, 1933, the oldest of five children and the only boy born to Lela and Dennis Hayes. Joe attended Catfish School, Lower Marlboro High School, and then Clemson University, obtaining a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1955. He served in the United States Air Force, flying everything from B-25s to large B-47 bombers with SAC. When he was stationed at Good Fellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas, he met and married Joanne Carr. In 1958, Joe began his chosen career with U.S. Steel in Birmingham, Alabama. He transferred to the Texas Works in Baytown in 1978, and moved his family to Clear Lake. After working more than 30 years, Joe retired. Retirement did not "take" and Joe soon began consulting work for several companies, including Jindal Steel in Baytown. This work now took Joe to Mexico, Brazil, Russia, Japan, and India for extensive trips. His final retirement was in early 2000. Joe is survived by his loving wife of over 58 years, Joanne Carr Hayes; daughter Katherine Diane Hayes (Jim Abraham); son Joseph Dennis Hayes, III (Genie); six grandchildren, Blake (Leanna), Joe (Ami), Audrey Campbell (Justin), Emily Triola (Mark), Nora, and Charlie; nine great-grandchildren, Daniel, Gavin, Carley, Caleb, Veda, Grant, Chase, Ava Grace, and Avery; and three sisters, Betty Jean Collins, Joyce Dotson (Howard), and Carolyn Doak. Joe will be interned at Fairmount Cemetery in San Angelo at a later date.