Al Thomas Hays Jr.

Al Thomas Hays, junior, died Sunday, December 19, 2010. After a courageous battle and lengthy illness, he died at home, with his wife and children by his side. Born in Moultrie, Georgia on May 9, 1937 to Virginia and Al Thomas Hays, senior, Al came to Atlanta to study Industrial Management at the Georgia Institute of Technology. After graduating in 1959, he began a long corporate sales career, specializing in mineral and lime products. He also owned and operated Al T. Hays Sales Co. until his retirement. Family and church were very important to Al. He married the former Caroline Ledyard on December 21, 1963, and they raised three children together: Paul, Beth and Russell. Al and Caroline were passionate travelers and they shared many wonderful vacations exploring the world. Al also traveled internationally with each of his children. Al could find adventure near or far, but preferred to go far to find it. He climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, trekked in Nepal, hiked in Argentina, and conducted business in India. Al was an active member of Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, where he especially enjoyed the fellowship and friendship found in his couples' Sunday school class. He was quietly generous to many in need through the years and went about helping people without seeking public acknowledgment. Al is survived by his wife, Caroline; son Paul; daughter Beth and her husband Thomas A. Stevens; and son Russell. He also was a loving grandfather (known as "Babu") to Connor and Carter Stevens and Sydney and Stella Hays. Additional surviving family members include sisters Virginia Claire Klettner and Vivian Guthrie; sister-in-law Anne Ledyard, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Julia and Rob Ledyard, as well as nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 2:00pm at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church 4480 Peachtree Corners Circle Norcross, GA 30092, with a visitation hour at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to: Peachtree Corners Baptist Church 4480 Peachtree Corners Circle Norcross, GA 30092 or InStep Ministries 41 Perimeter Center East - Suite 510 Dunwoody, GA 30346.