Delbert Kenneth Hayes

Delbert Kenneth Hayes, better known as Ken Hayes, died peacefully on May 23, 2015. He was the son of E. Roy and Ethel Clark Hayes and was born on October 1, 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Except for a few years in California, he lived in Salt Lake City. He graduated from South High School.

Those early years of his life were the years of the Great Depression. He was eight years old when he sold papers on the street. The paper cost a nickel and the seller got to keep the nickel of every third newspaper he sold. That third nickel that was his was taken home and given to his Mother to help support the family. Later, he became a caddy and worked for tips.

When he was seven years old, he lost the sight in his right eye because of an accident. When he got his draft notice during the Second World War, the army gave him a 4F rating because of having no vision in his right eye exempting him from the draft. He went down to the draft board and complained and they changed it to limited service. He was with the Ninth Army Special Service Detachment form 1943 to 1946.

He married Glenna Moss on April 18, 1945. Except for a few years in Seattle and Spokane, Washington, they lived in Salt Lake City. He built their family home that they have lived in for over sixty years. He was a Sales Representative and involved in the sale of heavy equipment and supplies to contractors and mining companies in Idaho, Nevada and Utah.

He was a golfer, a hiker and a traveler. He visited many countries and took many cruises. He went to the National Figure Skating Championships for over 20 years. He was a man that enjoyed close relationships with the families. Nieces and nephews remember sitting on his lap listening to the story he would read to them. He was a member of Toastmasters for many years and for a few years coached youth hockey. He lived ninety years and they were good years. They far exceeded the dreams he had when he was a newsboy making a nickel on every third paper.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers George, Roy, Dean, Clyde, Wallace, Pete, Vaughn, Jack and his sister, Wanda. He is survived by his wife, his son Delbert K. Hayes, Jr., daughter-in-law, Hui, grandson, Ben, and his sister, Cleo.

Memorial services will be at Goff Mortuary, 8090 South State St., Midvale, Utah on Friday, May 29th at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers donate to your favorite charity.