Richard was born on September 6th, 1948 in Lumberton, North Carolina to Burris Madison Hayes and Lovie Mae Hayes. After Richard graduated from Garner High School in 1967, he went onto Hardbarger Business College where he received a degree in Accounting.
Richard went on to serve his country by enlisting into the Army National Guard where he received an honorable discharge in 1976. He would utilize his accounting degree by becoming the credit manager at Sir Walter Chevrolet in Raleigh. Soon after he discovered his true passion and niche by joining the family business, Hayes Construction Company. His attention to detail, exceptional customer service, and work ethic gained him much notoriety within Wake and surrounding counties. After decades of residential construction Richard would finally retire as a foreman working commercial construction. Although retired, he would continue to do small jobs for friends and family.
Richard was a very active member of the Garner Optimist Club. He was proud to serve as the Optimist Club President as well as volunteering countless hours for youth basketball, the annual Christmas tree lot, and the BBQ fundraiser. He was also the "handyman" of the Garner Optimist Club and was always eager to serve his community.
Richard enjoyed watching movies (especially Westerns), reading books (he loved Danielle Steele), and listening to all different genres of music (he always boasted that he sang "Tiny Bubbles" with Don Ho). He had the quickest of wits and was always handy with a joke that was sure to make you smile!
Richard was preceded in death by his parents Burris Madison and Lovie Mae Hayes, his brother Jimmy Wayne Hayes, and companion Cathy Ann Mundy. He is survived by his son DeLane Nelson Hayes, daughter-in-law Megan Shaw Hayes, grandson Shaw Burris Hayes of Garner, and his brother William Madison Hayes (Dot) of Apex.
In lieu of flowers the family wishes for donations to be made to:
SECU Hospice House of Smithfield, 426 Hospital Rd., Smithfield NC 27577
A visitation for Richard will be held Friday, December 15, 2023 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at McLaurin Funeral Home & Pinecrest Memorial Park, 12830 Us 70 Business Hwy W, Clayton, North Carolina 27520, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 PM.
