Freddy Neal Hayes, Sr.

Freddy Neal Hayes, Sr., age 78, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at home surrounded by family. Freddy Neal Hayes, Sr. was born November 8, 1940, to Jesse and Pearl (Tatum) in Swifton, Arkansas, the fourth of six children. Freddy attended Swifton High School and was involved in FFA, 4-H Club, Basketball, Junior Play Staff, and Annual Staff.  After high school, Freddy moved to Southern California to pursue a career in carpentry and worked for PFC and Standard Drywall. He served his last 10+ years in the carpentry business as a superintendent for Standard Drywall. His work was meticulous and always had to meet his high standards. In 1961, Freddy met the love of his life, Georgia Mae Southerland, on a blind date set up by mutual friends and they wed on October 20, 1962.  They took up residence in Bell Gardens, Norwalk, and Bellflower, California, and eventually retired in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As a young couple, they jumped right into parenthood in 1963 with the birth of Freddy Neal Jr., in 1965 the birth of Cheryl Lynn (Grey), and in 1968, Kenneth Gene. As a man that came from poverty, he worked hard to provide his family a better life with less struggles. As a family, they enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing, motorcycles, hunting, ocean fishing, traveling, and going to sporting events - especially baseball games as he was a die-hard Cardinals fan.  Freddy retired from construction in 2001 and he and Georgia moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. While in New Mexico, Freddy loved to spend his time with small house projects (and large ones), golfing, 4-wheeling, target shooting, and spending time with his family. In addition, he enjoyed being in the outdoors whether it would be an all day BBQ, washing and waxing his prized truck, or hiking around the Petroglyphs. His greatest joy was his family and raising his children and grandchildren. Going for ice cream, buying the latest “toy,” or passing on great wisdom was a common bonding experience he enjoyed with his kids and grandkids.  Survived by and grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Georgia Mae (Southerland) of Albuquerque, New Mexico; three children, Dr. Freddy (Dr. Gina) Hayes, Jr. of Fullerton, California, Cheryl (Clyde) Grey of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Dr. Kenneth (Patricia) Hayes of Fort Dodge, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Andrew, Jacob, Trevor, and Tyler Hayes, Clyde and Dillon Grey, and Cornelia and Nathanael Hayes; one great grandchild, Aubrielle Grey; two siblings, brother, Donald (Cathy) Hayes of Whitebluff, Tennessee, and brother, Wendell (Darlene) Hayes of Rialto, California; and a host of other family and friends. Freddy was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Pearl Hayes; three siblings, Wavel Montgomery, Joe Alvis Hayes, and Garry J. Hayes. A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, July 1, at 3:00 p.m., FRENCH - Westside.