Dr. Freddie Lee Hayes

Hayes who was born on February 26, 1928, in Deer Park Township of

Boone County, Missouri. He was the first born of Dora Lee Harvey and Edward Hadley Hayes and the beloved sibling to nine brothers and sisters.

These were not the best of times in America, especially for African

Americans. And yet the family of twelve endured the great depression,

making much of limited prosperity. He drew from experiences such as

watching his mother going to work for a prominent doctor in town to inspire

him to rise above his circumstances, with the wondrous proposition of faith,

that “all things are possible.”

Dr. Freddie Hayes excelled to become the most celebrated graduate of the

Frederick Douglass High School, class of 1946, in Columbia, Missouri and

received accolades for his writing talent. He continued that academic

excellence graduating from HBCU, Lincoln University (Jefferson City,

Missouri) in 1951.

His academic journey was postponed by the outbreak of the Korean War.

Dr. Freddie Hayes answered the call of duty as a member of the United

States Marine Corp from March of 1952 through July of 1953. He served

his country with honor, which empowered him to pursue the great legacy

he would leave his family, friends, and community.

In 1954, Dr. Freddie Hayes became the first African American admitted to

the University of Missouri School of Medicine. During this period of history,

according to members of the MU Alumni Association, black people were

not welcomed into the student body. And yet, it was Dr. Hayes’ ambition

and fortitude through the great depression and Korean War that spurred

him on to pursue his education. In the spring of 1958, Dr. Freddie Lee

Hayes graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He

forged ahead, moving west to Sacramento, California where he completed

his residency.

From 1958 until his retirement in 2008, Dr. Hayes enjoyed a successful

practice in Family Medicine, as part of the cohort of the first African

American physicians in Fresno, California. He often remarked that he never

worked a day in his life, having chosen a profession that he had dreamed

of as a child. That practice continues today under the caring hands of

physicians he mentored. Up until the last few months of his life, he

continued to take classes to keep up his medical credentials.

Anyone who spent time with him knew of his deep love for reading, study,

and civil discourse. A lifelong advocate of civil rights, he insisted upon

voting this past September in the special election. Perhaps the greatest

contribution Dr. Freddie Hayes made to his community was the example he

set, by encouraging his children, nieces, nephews, and many other young

people to pursue a life of service and excellence through education.

Outside of medicine, his greatest avocation was Freemasonry. He was a

longtime member of the King Solomon Lodge No. 6, as well as the Ancient

Arabic Noble of the Mystic Shrine in Fresno. In 2001 he founded the

George L. Green Lodge No. 118, and served as the Grand Master, under

the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of California. He achieved

the extraordinary rank of 33 degrees, an honorary award bestowed upon

Freemasons who have made major contributions to society and Freemasonry.

He was a member of both the American Medical Association as well as the

National Medical Association, which promotes the interests and concerns

of physicians of African American descent. He was a lifelong member of

the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Dr. Hayes belonged to All Saints Community Church under the stewardship

of Rev. Dr. Bruce McAlister. One of his proudest achievements was a

college fund initiative, the George L. Green Scholarship, started within the

lodge of that namesake, to benefit outstanding students across Fresno

County. But In later years, that fund was further developed by Dr. Hayes

and wife Katie Thomas Hayes at All Saints Community Church, which

continues today under the aegis of the church.

Dr. Hayes enjoyed three marriages in life and would father and nurture

three children. His first marriage was to Fannie Lee West of Columbia,

Missouri to which three children were born, Aleta, Alan and Wayne. His

second marriage was to Ruby Hunt who passed away suddenly. Then a

widower, he married Katie Thomas, a loving wife. who was his surviving

spouse at the time of his passing.

Dr. Freddie Hayes is preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.

He leaves many friends, family, and colleagues to cherish his memory

including sister, Janice Avant of Jefferson City, Missouri: his wife, Katie

Thomas Hayes: his first wife Fannie Lee Hayes: his children, Aleta Hayes,

Frederick Alan Hayes (deceased) and Wayne Patrick Hayes, stepchildren

and grandchildren, and a host of over sixty nieces and nephews throughout

the United States and abroad who commune to memorialize and celebrate

the life of a kind man who loved to laugh, give and serve his community.

The scripture he carried folded up in his wallet encapsulates his life

philosophy. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have

opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to

the family of believers”. (Galatians 6:9-10)

Composed by

Aleta Hayes and Kenneth Freeman

Masonic Last Rites:

George L. Greene Lodge No. 118, Fresno, Ca

Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the State of California, Inc.

Walter A. Freeman - Lead Orator

Imri M. Doyle - Worshipful Master

Khirsten E. Snead - Jr. Warden

Charles S. Bailey - Chaplain

Simeon R. Morgan - Sr. Deacon

Dynan Walker - Jr. Deacon

Christopher Jefferson - Marshal

Jarvis S. Cullin - Tyler

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.whitehurstsullivan.com for the Hayes family.