Charles Frances Hayes Jr.

Charles was born in Wellston, Oklahoma to Charles Frances Hayes Sr. and Melissa Louisa (Hagar) Hayes. He spent most of his youth in Wellston with his brother, Joe Frances Hayes and a sister, Anna Irene Hayes. Eventually their family moved to Bethany where he attended Putnam City Central High School and played clarinet in the band. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served as a Machinist’s Mate, 2nd class during WWII. Upon his return home he began his career with Transcon Trucking as a big rig driver.

Charley was blessed with two wonderful children, daughter, Cynthia Lois Fehrenbach and son, Charles Nicklas Hayes. Charley spent countless hours playing various musical instruments in bands and enjoyed music to its fullest. He would probably say that his greatest achievement was driving his big rig for “one million miles” and not having a single accident! Charley was an active member of his community where he was honored to be a 33rd degree Mason, a member of the American Legion and he also attended the Cooper Creek Baptist Church in Denton, TX.

In 1969, Charley moved to Denton, TX and in 1971, he married Irene Josephine Rhea. They enjoyed living life together in Denton until her passing in 2012. In 2013 Charley and his dog, Nugget, moved back to Oklahoma and eventually moved to Brookdale Assisted Living where he enjoyed his visits from Nugget and playing BINGO, SKIP-BO and other games, collecting flashlights as prizes so he could make sure everyone around him always had a good flashlight!

Charley is preceded in death by his wife, Irene, parents, daughter, Cynthia Fehrenbach and her husband, Bill, brother, Joe Hayes and his wife Rosie, sister, Irene Burris and her husband, Jay and nephew, J.D. Burris.

Charley leaves his son, Nick Hayes and wife Lisa of Bethany Oklahoma, grandchildren, Julie Harrington and husband John, April Rus and husband Doug, and Dustin Hayes and wife Molly; great grandchildren, Zane Rus, Jaxson Rus, Ashton Hayes, Dakota Hayes, Kaylee Hayes, and Hudson Hayes; niece, Brenda Truitt and husband Ron, and nephew, Gary Hayes and wife Barbara.

Arrangements under the direction of Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Oklahoma City, OK.