Gary Thomas Hayes

Pastor Gary Thomas Hayes, age 74, of Mabank, passed away early Wednesday afternoon, November 22, 2017 at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler. Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, November 27, 2017 at the Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rev. Eugene Stouffer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Martin Cemetery near Tours. The family will receive visitors from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Gary was born October 31, 1943 in Brooklyn, NY, the son of the late Thomas and Lucy (Miccolupi) Hayes. He graduated from John Jay High School in Brooklyn, NY. Gary also attended Baylor University in Waco, TX and Claremont Seminary in Claremont, CA. In service to his country, he joined the United States Air Force serving from 1962 to 1966. On August 10, 1963, he was united in marriage to Nancy Peterson at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco. His career in sales, both wholesale and retail included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, Mosley Machinery, Fleetwood Homes, and Fuqua Homes. He also worked for Clayton Homes, where he managed sales centers in Texas and Arizona. After retiring from the business world, Gary entered service to his Lord as a Licensed Local Pastor, serving churches in Needles and Blythe, CA, Quartzsite, AZ, First United Methodist Church in Big Sandy, TX, Bascom United Methodist Church in Tyler, TX and Payne Springs United Methodist Church in Mabank, TX. Gary was a good listener, a great story teller and loved talking to young people to hear their dreams and plans for the future and to older folks in sharing their memories and recollections. He was an avid Dallas Cowboy fan and enjoyed woodworking. Gary loved spending time with family, was a favorite with his nieces and nephews and a loved friend by many. He will be truly missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his beloved wife of 54 years, Nancy Hayes of Mabank; his daughters, Debra Newkirk and husband Rex of Midway, Kathleen Pustejovsky and husband Matt of Abbott and Wendy Robinson and husband Bill of Lockhart; 10 grandchildren, Hannah Nelson and husband John, Levi Hurst, Derek Pustejovsky, Katelyn Pustejovsky, MaKaela Wyles, Jessica Esquivel and husband Jesse, William Robinson, Jr. and wife Christina, Brooke Robinson, Heather Robinson and Rebecca Robinson; 5 great grandchildren, John Thomas Nelson III, Kazandra Eryn Nelson, Connor James Robinson, Riley Jane Robinson and Rehs Martin; a brother, Pastor Dennis Hayes and wife Awilda; and several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends from every facet of his life. Active pallbearers are Levi Hurst, Derek Pustejovsky, Christopher Hayes, Dennis Hayes Jr., Kenneth Peterson, Matthew Peterson, Marshall Peterson, Christopher Hatton and Leland Mangrum. Honorary pallbearers are Grace Emmaus Walk #72 at Disciples Crossing Table of St. Matthew. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.