Obituary for James "Jim" H. Hayes
James Herbert “Jim” Hayes, age 84, of Pine Knot, Kentucky, husband of Carol Hayes, passed away Saturday, September 2, 2023, at his home and was placed in the care of Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. Gerald Murphy officiating. Burial was in the Pine Knot Cemetery.
Jim was born April 12, 1939 in Pine Knot, Kentucky to Robert Leon Hayes and Ina Mae Lobb Hayes. He began working part-time at the Pine Knot Phone Company at the age of 15. The Highland Telephone Cooperative assumed phone service for McCreary County in 1959 and Jim began working with Highland. He rose through the ranks, retiring as County Supervisor after 37.5 years of service.
Jim had a diverse skill set that included blacksmithing, welding, mechanical and electrical work. In his early twenties, he built the house that he and his high school sweetheart lived in for the rest of their time together. He also enjoyed making household items and fine furniture. One year, some of his work was displayed at the Smithsonian Institute’s annual Folklife Festival. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends. Jim was always willing to help folks in need.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his son, Philip Hayes; and grandchild, Alexander James Hayes.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Carol Hayes; daughter Kathy Hayes, and her husband Robert Pittman; brother Bob Hayes, and his wife Helen; his sister, Sandra Gilreath; his aunt, Ruby Thigpen; his grandchildren, Rebecca Leigh Pittman, Kylie’Ann Hayes, and Robert Westyn Hayes, nephew, Steven Hayes, niece, Alison Hayes, and special friends Ronnie Kidd, Mike King, Ronnie Stephens, Phil Chaney, and Marcus Bryant.
Jim’s passing leaves a big void in his family and our community.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Jim Hayes.
Funeral services were held Friday, September 8, 2023 at 1:00 pm at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. Gerald Murphy officiating. Burial was in the Pine Knot Cemetery.
Jim was born April 12, 1939 in Pine Knot, Kentucky to Robert Leon Hayes and Ina Mae Lobb Hayes. He began working part-time at the Pine Knot Phone Company at the age of 15. The Highland Telephone Cooperative assumed phone service for McCreary County in 1959 and Jim began working with Highland. He rose through the ranks, retiring as County Supervisor after 37.5 years of service.
Jim had a diverse skill set that included blacksmithing, welding, mechanical and electrical work. In his early twenties, he built the house that he and his high school sweetheart lived in for the rest of their time together. He also enjoyed making household items and fine furniture. One year, some of his work was displayed at the Smithsonian Institute’s annual Folklife Festival. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, but his greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and friends. Jim was always willing to help folks in need.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his son, Philip Hayes; and grandchild, Alexander James Hayes.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Carol Hayes; daughter Kathy Hayes, and her husband Robert Pittman; brother Bob Hayes, and his wife Helen; his sister, Sandra Gilreath; his aunt, Ruby Thigpen; his grandchildren, Rebecca Leigh Pittman, Kylie’Ann Hayes, and Robert Westyn Hayes, nephew, Steven Hayes, niece, Alison Hayes, and special friends Ronnie Kidd, Mike King, Ronnie Stephens, Phil Chaney, and Marcus Bryant.
Jim’s passing leaves a big void in his family and our community.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Jim Hayes.