Philip Allen Hayes, age 57 years, 8 months, and 21 days was taken by the angels from his home in Pine Knot, Kentucky to everlasting life on March 29, 2023 and was placed in the care of the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 4, 2023, at 1:00 pm in the chapel of the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Pine Knot Cemetery.
He was born July 8, 1965 at the Scott County Hospital in Oneida, Tennessee to James Herbert Hayes and Judith Carol King Hayes. Philip earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology with a minor in geology from Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands). These areas of study aptly reflected his love of our local community and its rich natural beauty. His community service began as soon as he was old enough to join the local volunteer fire department. In 1987, he was honored to be chosen Fireman of the Year for the South McCreary Fire and Rescue. As time went on, he continued working with the local community in various roles, including substitute teacher, assisting with client education and enforcement during the start-up of a county trash collection program, and a deputy for the county Sheriff’s Office. In 1994 Philip began training at the Kentucky State Police (KSP) Academy. When it was time to submit requests for duty assignments, beloved McCreary County was at the top of his list and he served his entire career here. After retirement from the KSP, Philip served as a school resource officer at Pine Knot Elementary. He enjoyed interacting with colleagues and school children, each year he looked forward to Dr. Seuss Day, when he got to read to the students. He especially enjoyed working at the schools during the years when his own children were there. When Philip wasn’t working, he enjoyed hiking and the great outdoors.
Preceding him in death were his infant son, Alexander James Hayes, his paternal grandparents, Robert Leon Hayes and Ina Mae Lobb Hayes, maternal grandparents, Dee Herman King and Edna Lavender King, aunt, Ruby King Wallace, and uncle, Maurice Gilreath.
Survivors include his parents, his children, Kylie’Ann (Stormy) and Robert Westyn Hayes, a sister, Kathy Hayes and her husband, Robert Pittman, uncle and aunt, Robert (Bob) and Helen Daugherty Hayes, aunt, Sandra Hayes Gilreath, cousins, Steven Hayes and Alison Hayes, a niece, Rebecca Leigh Pittman, and a host of friends.
Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Philip Allen Hayes.