Raymond Estil Hayden, M.D., 84, passed away April 5, 2016, at his home. He was a retired general practitioner and pediatrician who had practiced medicine over 40 years, most of them in Barbourville, Kentucky, where he also made his own wine, kept his own bees, and tended a large vegetable garden.
He was born on a farm in Owensboro, Kentucky, one of 16 children of Henry Walter Hayden, Jr., and Mayola Mulligan Hayden. When he wasn’t getting into mischief, he played baseball and football for St. Frances High School. In addition to his responsibilities on the farm, he also worked summers at Medley Brothers Distillery. He attended St. Louis University receiving both B.S. and M.D. degrees; a Kentucky rural scholarship allowed him to attend medical school there. During his residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, he met and eventually married Violetta Tironi, M.D., of Milan, Italy. After two years as an Air Force captain practicing pediatrics at Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, he fulfilled the terms of his scholarship to work in a medically underserved area by moving back to Kentucky. They settled in Barbourville in 1963 and stayed there until 2008. They had ten children and ten grandchildren.
Ray was a contrarian who always enjoyed a good argument. He usually read several books at once, often taking notes and writing down his thoughts as he turned the page. A devoted Catholic all his life, Ray especially liked Graham Green and G.K. Chesterton. Though shy around strangers, he was quick with a joke. He loved family get-togethers, traveling, crossword puzzles, TV westerns, and a cold glass of buttermilk.
He is survived by his wife, Violetta, and their ten children: Susie Hayden, Julie Hayden, M.D., Patrick Hayden, M.D. (wife Anna; children Natalie and Lila), and John Hayden (wife Elizabeth) of Louisville, Kentucky; Erika Hayden Clark, M.D. (husband Ed; children Sam and Sarah) of Lexington, Kentucky; Anna Hayden Zimmermann (husband Alan) of Indianapolis, Indiana; Marina Hayden of Baltimore, Maryland; Lisa Hayden Fielding (husband Scott; children Rachel, Allison, Kate and Lily) of Nashville, Tennessee; Robert Hayden (wife Mickey; children Megan and Lucas), of Cordova, Tennessee; and Joe Hayden (wife Gloria) of Memphis, Tennessee. Ray’s surviving siblings include John Paschal “Pat” Hayden of Ohio; Henry Walter Hayden III of New York; Father Michael Hayden of California; Frances Helen Hayden (Sister Marie Michael) of Kentucky; David Lee Hayden of Maryland; Rose Marie Hayden of Oregon; and Marian Rachel Hayden of Kentucky.
The memorial mass will be at 3:00 PM on Friday, April 8, 2016, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 1395 Girard Drive, Louisville, Kentucky 40222. A memorial service is also being planned at a later date in Barbourville, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Sisters of Divine Providence, 5300 St. Anne Drive, Melbourne, Kentucky 41059, or to the charity of one’s choice.
The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of 3 Park Tower and 4 Park Tower, Baptist Health Louisville, and Jane Cornett, M.D.
Arrangements under the direction of Arch L. Heady and Son at Westport Village, Louisville, Kentucky.
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