James "Jim" Wesley Hayes

James (Jim) Hayes, age 79 of Spurger, Texas, passed away on January 13, 2020 at his home after a battle with cancer.

Visitation was held on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 from 5 – 8 p.m. at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 6 p.m. at Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home Chapel in Woodville, Texas. Officiating will be Brother Kris Napier.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be J.M. Purvis, Marvin Mott, Tom Harris, Kenny Weaver, Steve McNeal and Ryan Gray.

Services in Gatesville, Texas will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020 beginning with visitation from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. at Gatesville Scott’s Funeral Home followed by burial at Restland Cemetery in Gatesville. Officiating will be Brother Kris Napier. Serving as pallbearers will be Caleb Parrish, Dustin LeBlanc, Levi Hayes, Tyler Cox, Tres Botkin and Todd Sandig.

Jim was born on August 24, 1940 in Parks, Arkansas to the late Ernest and Lyda Hayes. He married Jeanne Featherston on September 29, 1965. They met while Jim was stationed at Fort Hood while serving in the Army. After marriage they lived in Gatesville and worked at Anchor Plastics. They later moved to Port Arthur where he began his career at Dupont Beaumont Works where he retired after 33 years in 2003. They moved to Spurger on December 24, 1986. Jim was an avid horseman who loved to ride and train horses. After retirement he enjoyed helping his friends, taking care of cattle, working in the hay field, and going to cow sales. Jim spent many mornings going to the Mott’s Hardware store to have coffee with the coffee club. He was known by his friends as the Mayor of Spurger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Jeanne, and sister Jean Kohler. He is survived by his son, Mark and Donna Hayes of Nederland, daughters Dena Parrish & husband Penyson of Oglesby, Deloyce Berry of Malakoff, and a special close family member Michelle Rayburn. Sister Ernestine & Norm Combs of Kansas City Missouri, Brother in law Art Kohler of Topeka, Kansas. Five grandchildren: Jamie & Caleb Parrish, Dustin & Tasha LeBlanc, Caitlyn & Tyler Cox, Madalyn & Chris Hayter, Levi Hayes. Five great grandchildren: Tres Botkin, Cayla Parrish, Drake LeBlanc, Paisley Cox, Barrett Hayter; and several nieces & nephews. A very special thanks to our family member Michelle Rayburn for being a caregiver to our dad, PaPaw, and friend.

Services are under the direction of Stringer & Griffin Funeral Home in Woodville. Graveside services will be under the direction of Scott’s Funeral Home in Gatesville.