Rutherford "Rudy" Burchard Hayes' Obituary
Rutherford Burchard Hayes Obituary
October 31, 1955 - June 16, 2024
Rutherford Burchard Hayes, of Lakewood, WA passed peacefully Sunday afternoon, June 16, at the age of 68 at Madigan Army Medical Center located on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.
Rutherford was born in Newark, NJ to Rev. Clarence D Hayes and Zelma Eliza Jeffries Hayes. He was the third of five children. He graduated from Hermon-Dekalb Central School in 1973, and entered the United States Air Force in 1975. He met his wife Sylvia in October of 1977, the first day he arrived at his new base assignment. They were married in April of 1981.
After leaving the military he worked for Pacific Van and Storage, Fred Meyer, Intel, Home Depot, and finally decided to retire from Boeing in 2020. As a proud University of Washington Husky, with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Science, his educational development impacted his charitable contributions to his community, such as St. Jude and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, along with others which he would prefer to remain anonymous.
This desire to learn more about his community led him to explore new golf courses, and that sparked new friendships along the way. A good cup of coffee was the start of every great day, along with morning prayer and gratitude. Some of his favorite past times were playing golf, smoking a good cigar, reading mystery and detective novels, watching sci-fi movies, and spending time with his family, especially having fun with his many beautiful grandchildren. He was a devoted Jets fan and enjoyed listening to jazz music.
He was predeceased by: his parents, Rev. Clarence D. Hayes and Zelma Eliza Hayes, his brother Clarence D. Hayes, Jr. (Buster), and his brother-in-law Leroy Brown.
He is survived by: His wife Sylvia Hayes, his children Aleha Hayes-Woodard (Matthew), Daniel Wilson, Rutherford Hayes Jr. (Rudy), James Hayes, and Kristle Hayes. His grandchildren; Shaciah Gordon, Dayani John, David John, Nicholas Norman, Jordan Woodard, Jaden Wilson, Katara Hayes, Tanaia Hayes, Kianna Hayes, Micheal Rosario Jr., Mila Rosario, Khalia Rosario, Amir Rosario, great grandchild Nadia Miller. His siblings, Bonnie Brown, Mary Hayes Gordon (Dean) and Marcus Hayes (Shelly); mother-in-law Omica Bowden sister-in laws; Connie Hayes, Carolyn Batts(Leon), Gaynelle Bowden-Diaz (Carlos), along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends..
AS YOU READ THIS TODAY, MAY YOUR HEART BE AT EASE. MAY YOUR TEAR-FILLED EYES BE FULL OF JOY AND NOT SORROW, FOR MY SOUL IS AT PEACE.
THE JOURNEY OF LIFE IS A BEAUTIFUL MASTERPIECE, FILLED WITH UPS AND DOWNS. THIS MAY HURT A BIT BUT SOON THOSE STORM CLOUDS WILL BE GONE, THE RAINBOWS AND THE SUN WILL BRING YOU JOY AND WARMTH ONCE AGAIN.
I MAY NOT BE HERE WITH YOU NOW, BUT UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN; ENJOY YOUR COFFEE, SMOKE YOUR CIGAR, AND SHOW GRATITUDE EACH DAY. HIT A FEW GOLF BALLS FOR ME WHILE YOU’RE AT IT.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
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