Dr. John Gregory Hayes' Obituary
Dr. John G. Hayes, Ph.D., 81 (29,918 days), of Charlotte, left this world on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
Dr. Hayes was born on July 9, 1942, in Dodge City, KS, and grew up in Great Bend, KS. He was the eldest son of Joseph “Gordon” Hayes (d.1992) and Edith Magelina (Meisner) Hayes (d.1995) and brother to Robert Hayes of Topeka, KS, and Joeseph “Joe” Allen Hayes (d.2022).
Dr. Hayes met the love of his life, Mary Hottenstein, at Kansas State University in 1964, where he received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Sociology. They were married on June 3, 1966. His love for her lasted 21,188 days (58 years), and his last thought was for her. Together, they raised two children, Stephanie Hayes Hsu (Lexington, MA) and Mahlon Gordon Hayes (Huntersville, NC). He was “Pop Pop” to Mira Hsu, Sean Hsu, Jonathan Hsu, and Myles Hayes. His love and pride for his children and grandchildren were evident in every conversation you had with him, and his greatest hope was that they live their best lives and never “give up their shot .”
Dr. Hayes served as an SP5, Secretary to the Chief of Staff in Berlin, Germany, before attending Purdue University, where he received his Ph.D. in Sociology in 1975. His areas of study included Social Organization, Research Methods, Intergroup Relations, Social Change, and Social Conflict. He was a professor of Sociology at UNC-Charlotte and Sacred Heart College but found his calling working with the Housing Authority of the City of Charlotte as Director of Resident Services and the Chattanooga Housing Authority as Deputy Director for Planning and Program Development. His life’s work was to ensure that all families became self-sufficient and were given the opportunity to fulfill their dreams. He captured this journey in his final work, The Campaign for Family Self-Sufficiency; Housing’s Role in Making a Difference.
The funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 12, 3:00 PM at James Funeral Home in Huntersville. The family will receive friends following the service for a time of visitation and reception at the funeral home. Chaplain Bonnie Klos will preside, and the United States Army will conduct the military rites. A viewing and reception will follow the service.
Dr. Hayes requested memorials be given to the Training Active Bystanders program at https://www.trainingactivebystanders.org/donate/, A.C.E Academy for the Chess Club at https://www.aceacademycharter.org/donate/, and the S.T.E.M. Club.
James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family and obituary lovingly written by the family.
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