James M Hays

James “Jimmy” Martin Hays, age 99, former Marine, national security and border patrol agent passed away peacefully at home just 3 months shy of his 100th birthday on March 31, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father Vernis and mother Helen (Brown), brother John, brother William, first wife Roberta (Spencer), second wife Peggy (Styons) and stepdaughter Cindi (Verdi).

He leaves behind daughter Mary Brent, son Joe, sister Betty (Holiday), stepdaughters: Vicky (Henry), Lana (Kirkpatrick) and Lisa (Woolard), grandchildren: Nicholas, Kristin, Dawn, Gabriel, Julian, Mira, Alex and Kai, great grandchildren Rebecca and Alyssa, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews including cousin Joan (Ambrose) who was a dear friend and helper throughout his final years.

Jimmy was born and raised in Iredell County, North Carolina and learned self-reliance and sustainability on the family farm. A decorated WWII war hero, Jimmy served in the pacific theater in Guam and was on the second ship landing on Iwo Jima where he was machine gunned down. After recovering in a Hawaiian hospital and being offered an honorable discharge, he refused and returned to Iwo for another tour. He was a guard among the troops fighting up Mt Suribachi to place the American Flag and later did a tour in Japan. After returning to the states Jim married wife Roberta “Bert” (Spencer) and welcomed daughter Mary Brent. The family took a cross country trip to visit all their military friends and eventually ran out of money in Arizona where Jimmy in his typical forthright fashion said, “Here looks good!” and a new chapter began. Soon after settling they welcomed son Joe. Jimmy became a jack of all trades and started a long spanning career in national security, immigration, and border patrol. Jim was happiest when he had something to do and was doing it. He had an incredible zest for life and adored fishing, hunting, travelling, dancing, construction, competitive shooting, and gardening. He built two of his own homes and assisted in building multiple churches throughout his life along with installing electrical on several Frank Lloyd Wright homes in Phoenix in the 50s.

He will be fondly remembered by family and friends for his love of family, his charitable nature, for being a straight arrow (and a straight shooter), his boundless energy and love of a good coffee klatch, his can do attitude, for refusing to quit climbing on roofs in his 90s, his hilarious sneaky sense of humor and bright twinkle in his eyes.  Recently daughter Brent remarked “Daddy, it’s so nice you haven’t turned mean and bitter like some older people do.”  With a twinkle in his eye and a sly grin Jimmy replied, “There’s still time!” 

We invite family and friends to share your stories of remembrance and celebrate a life well lived, Saturday May 20, 2023, at the home from 2-5 p.m.