Fred Olanda Hayes

Fred Olanda Hayes, 92, died on June 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital. Fred was born on September 17, 1932, in Grand Valley, Colorado. He was the second son of Richard and Anna (Barreith) Hayes. After graduating from DeBeque High he joined the U.S. Navy. He served 20 years, mostly on aircraft carriers during the Korean War. While in the Navy he met and married Mildred (Millie) McKenzie who also served in the Navy Waves at the time. They adopted and raised brother and sister, Ron and Patricia, who were 4 and 5 years old.

After retiring from the Navy, he returned to DeBeque, Colorado and worked for the U.S. post office there, then transferred the Grand Junction post office. He also lived in Alabama and Arkansas before returning to Colorado in 2008. In 2014 he met Ruth Hearlson, and they exchanged vows and lived in Palisade until his death.

Fred loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing. Fred and Ruth could usually be found fishing or just driving around the area looking for deer and elk.

Surviving is his wife Ruth, son, Ron, daughter, Patricia Lauderdale, sister, Effie Rucker, and cousins, Tom and Billie Morrow. Preceding him in death are his parents, grandpa Hayes, and siblings, Richard Buryl, Henry, Margaret, June, and John. Fred requested no service be held.