Clyde Duke Hayes

Duke was born in Nash County, Spring Hope, NC. He was the son (first born of five children) of Clyde and Christine Hayes. He grew up helping his family on the farm and when he was 13, his Dad built a gas station /grocery store and Duke worked there. Duke always had a talent for art and did some of his first paintings during his teen years. One day in a high school class, his teacher noticed he was not taking notes(he was doodling)so he called him out on it. Duke replied Oh don't worry I have a photographic memory. He graduated from Spring Hope High School in 1965 and attended Wilson Technical School to get an AA degree in Drafting and Mechanical Design. He married Gail Perry from the Pine Ridge community and accepted his first job at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company as a piping draftsman. Duke had a long career as a mechanical and electrical design draftsman with various companies across the United States. In 1995 he returned to the Raleigh area to be close to family.

In 1970 he joined the US Army Reserve and became a paratrooper. He made many successful jumps from small aircraft, helicopters, and large transport planes like C-130s. When jumping, he always joked that he liked for someone in front to be pulling him out of the plane and another person in back to be pushing him out of the plane. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1974.

Duke was happiest when he was doing artwork or listening to his favorite musicians such as Bob Dylan, Emmy Lou Harris, The Rolling Stones and Leonard Cohen. Duke had a gentle and kind spirit, hardly ever raising his voice. He had friends from all walks of life. He enjoyed socializing and playing trivia with his buddies at Sammy's and Ruckus in Raleigh. He also cherished the company of his cats, first Sassy and more recently a cat named Tiger.

Duke leaves behind to honor his memory four siblings: Helen Baines(husband, Shawne Baines), Pam Pace (husband, Kenneth Pace), Roxie Hayes (husband, Keith Joyner) and Scott Hayes (wife Monica); three nieces, Michelle Pleasants, Heather Pleasants, and Jesse Jayne Hayes; one nephew Zachary Pace (wife, Crystal Pace), one great-niece Savannah Pleasants and one great nephew, Matthew Pleasants and two great-great-nieces Stori and Eowyn Ronzitti. Preceding him in death: his son Christopher Dana Hayes, his ex-wife Gail Perry and his mother,Christine and father, Clyde.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday August 17th, 2025 from 3-5 p.m. at Sammy's Tap and Grill, 2235 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh, NC. In Lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory can be sent to the American Heart Association, 5001 S. Miami Blvd., Suite 300, Durham, NC 27703.

Memorial tributes and messages of sympathy can be left by clicking the "Add a Memory" box below. Brown Wynne of Cary is honored to serve the Hayes family.