Obituary of Jonathan Hayes

Jonathan Wayne Hayes Jonathan Wayne Hayes never met a closed mouth he couldn’t open or a smile he couldn’t broaden. He was a lover of political conversations and was pretty certain Kurt Vonnegut held the keys to the Kingdom. He loved laughter and silliness and wry humor. He loved his wife Pam, his son Evan, his sister Nancy, his nephews, nieces and cousins, and the many dear friends who provided laughter and support over the course of his illness. Jon was born to Morris and Marjorie Hayes in Tacoma on August 25, 1949. He graduated from Wilson High School in Tacoma in 1967, and spent 4 years in the Navy. After earning a Bachelor’s degree from Western Washington University in 1976, he worked as a counselor in a runaway shelter, a bicycle mechanic, a longshoreman, a projectionist, a theatrical set designer and movie set carpenter, a photographer, a social worker, and in various positions in state government in Alaska, Washington and Minnesota. He married Pamela Johnson on October 11, 1986 in Juneau, Alaska. They celebrated autumn and each other on their anniversary adventures. Their son, Evan Patrick Morris Hayes, was born in 1987. Intricate costumes, carpentry, and travels in their pop-up camper entertained Evan and his friends. Jon and his sister traveled to Germany in 2007 to revisit places they lived as children. No one was arrested. Most of the time, he was doing exactly what he wanted to do, which was finding a way to be around and talking to the people he loved. The sea and the sound were central to his well being. He loved every way of being on the water - canoeing, kayaking, sailing, motor boats – wooden boats in particular. A recent fishing trip to LaPush landed him a 40 pound halibut. Jon died on June 2 of ALS, a particularly cruel disease whose brutality he challenged with grace, humor, the occasional snippy aside, and an evening glass of Tempranillo. Good food, even better friends and his dogs Loki and Chance were constant companions throughout Jon’s illness. The garden and bird feeders his friends built for him delighted him daily. He wanted to live long enough to see Obama in office and the flowers return to the garden. He got both wishes. HIs attitude was inspirational though he would have preferred to be healthy longer and less of an inspiration. A service for Jon will be held on June 27 at 2:00pm at the Oddfellows Park in Olympia. Many people are smiling about the location’s name. Jon certainly would have. "To reach Oddfellows Park: From I-5, take exit 108 at Sleater-Kinney road. Head north 2.8 miles to the first STOP SIGN at Sleater-Kinney and South Bay/ Johnson Point road. Turn right. Follow johnson Point road 4.4 miles to 78th avenue NE. Turn right. Follow 78th avenue NE 0.8 miles to Walnut road. Turn Left. Follow Walnut road 400 feet to 79th avenue NE. Turn right. Go to gate at the end of 79th avenue. YOU ARE THERE!" To leave a condolence for the family, click on View Guestbook below: