On December 15, 2025, our family lost a husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Richard Paul Hayes was known affectionately as Dick by friends and family. Born on June 28, 1935, in Santa Ana, California, Dick was a creative and honorable man known for his hard work and reliability. He lived a fulfilling life that spanned 90 years, leaving an indelible mark on his family and congregation in Olympia, Washington, where he resided for thirty years.
Dick's boundless dedication to his family was evident in every aspect of his life. He married the love of his life, Carolyn, on May 30, 1959, and together they built a beautiful family. Dick was the master of the yard, often found rowing out to snag a log for firewood, while Carolyn was the mistress of the house. He found joy in boating, woodworking, his Bible study, and combing the beach on Puget Sound for agates. Dick was a faithful servant of Jehovah since his baptism in 1970 and, together with Carolyn, had the privilege of attending several international conventions of Jehovah's Witnesses. In every facet of his life, Dick was a loyal servant of Jehovah and his family.
He worked tirelessly at OCB Reprographics in Irvine, California. After a long and successful co-ownership of OCB with his brother David, he retired in 1995. Dick's focus on his work mirrored his devotion to his family. He is survived by his wife Carolyn; his children Deborah (Ron) Stalman, Jennifer (Harry) Heldreth, and Daniel (Leslie) Hayes; his grandchildren Lucas (Sarah) Hayes, Jordan (Kaela) Perry, Kaleigh (John) Newton, and Tanner Perry; and his great-grandchildren Lucius Hayes, Saige Perry, Hattie Newton, Owen Newton, Clay Newton, Jaxon Perry, Meisha Perry, Zane Perry, and Levi Perry. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Hayes, mother Dorothy Hayes, and brother David (Dione) Hayes.
Dick's life was an outstanding example of love, dedication, and faithfulness, reflected in the Bible verse, Proverbs 22:1, "A good name is to be chosen rather than great wealth; To be respected is better than silver and gold." His legacy will continue to guide his family for generations to come.
Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and upload photos of Dick on his memorial page. His life was filled with beautiful moments that deserve to be cherished and remembered. Let's celebrate Dick's life and the love he shared with us all.