Harry Hayes

Harry E. Hayes served his country as a courageous solider, his community as a respectful businessman and his family as a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Harry was not someone consumed by material gains in life but by the satisfaction of putting his family and friends first and doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand.

Born on March 27, 1918, in Vicksburg, Michigan, to Ernest and Minnie (Clark) Blair, Harry entered the world during a chaotic time. The world was still deep in the throes of World War I and an imminent end seemed distant. Harry spent his growing up years in the small community of Vicksburg where he was raised by his mother and stepfather, Gordon Hayes, and later took his name. The Hayes family based their life around family values, hard work and love. As a young boy, Harry took every opportunity to fish, hunt and go camping with his stepfather and brothers.

Being mechanically inclined, Harry and Gordon opened an auto garage on North Rose Street in Kalamazoo. Because they managed their business with honesty and integrity, not to mention Harry’s vast automotive skills, the garage earned a prestigious reputation. Even Joe Louis’ son would drive from Detroit just to have Harry work on his car. One of his specialties was getting just about anything to run and “purr like a kitten.” Once a customer had their car repaired by Harry, they wouldn’t go to anyone else. Even after Harry closed the garage during WWII and reopened later, many of the same customers were glad to return to his service.

During this time in his life, Harry was what some would call a gentle giant, because of his strong muscular build and soft heart. His nieces and nephews often viewed him as this big strong invincible man, though they greatly admired him, especially for his generosity towards them, even when they did not know about it. Because of his physique, Harry was often provoked by others who wanted to challenge him in a fight. The fight never lasted long for after one of Harry’s punches, they were out cold. Because of this, Harry was donned “One Punch,” and men would come to bars and dances in Kalamazoo to try to challenge him to a fight. However, Harry gave up his days of fighting in 1936 for one special lady.

In 1936, Harry attended a dance one night like many nights before. At the time he did not know how that evening would lead to wonderful changes for him. That night Harry’s eye caught sight of a beautiful young girl in a blue sweater walking across the dance floor. From that first glance, Harry swore off all other girls and dedicated his heart to her, Frances Smith. Although he had a tough looking exterior, he was truly timid and shy inside, but nonetheless approached Frances for a date. From the moment they met, Harry knew he wanted to love her his whole life. A romantic courtship ensued and on November 28, 1936, Harry and Frances vowed to love, honor and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.

Soon Harry joined many other proud young American men by answering the call to protect his nation during World War II. Harry earned the position of Sergeant Army Medic because of his cognizant and unprejudiced character. While fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, which was the largest land battle in World War II, Harry valiantly pulled wounded soldiers from the minefields on which they battled when no one else would. Because of his heroic actions, he was honorably presented with a Bronze Star. Harry also received the good conduct medal as well as the victory medal for his service in Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. There were over 19,000 U.S. soldiers killed in the Battle of the Bulge and Harry often said that if people saw the things he had, there would be no wars. Unlike many soldiers he enjoyed sharing his stories and recounting tales, including one about a fight with a German medic. His time in the war left a profound impression on his heart that he carried with him throughout his life.

Although the service took Harry miles away from home, Frances stayed on his mind and heart the entire time he was gone. He and Frances remained connected in their many letters that uplifted each other’s spirits until they could be reunited. After the war had ended, Harry returned to his beloved wife and eventually reopened the auto garage. By now his stepfather had passed away, but Harry was determined to keep the garage running and did so up into the 1970s when he closed it for good. He then began driving oil trucks for a variety of different companies, Nederhood’s Oil Company, Al King Oil and Drake Oil Company, and retired from trucking in 1993.

Besides being a decorated solider and respected businessman, Harry was also a fabulous father to his three children, Harry “Butch”, Joanne, and Diane. He always wanted to spend time with his children and to make sure that they experienced an enjoyable childhood by giving them everything he didn’t have growing up. For the last several years, Harry always cherished his time with his daughter Diane over their routine morning coffee. On the occasions when she couldn’t come, he would have coffee ready anyway just in case she showed up. He lived his life to make his children’s lives easier, whether by fixing their cars, taking them roller skating, or making them a morning cup of coffee.

In later years, Harry became a grandfather and what a loving grandfather he was. Being retired, he had plenty of time to spend with his grandson Chad, never missing any of his little league or church softball games. Chad was also active with BMX racing and Grandpa was proudly a part of his traveling pit crew. Whether it was playing catch, teaching Chad the patience it takes to play golf, getting into boyish mishaps with snakes and fish bait or simply curling up together on a sleepover sharing old war stories, Grandpa Harry was always there to lovingly pass on his vast wisdom and lessons in life.

After retiring, Harry had many interests to keep him busy. He was a member of the Prairieville Bible Church, where he worshipped for over 20 years. Harry was also one of the biggest supporters of the softball team and made sure to ask how all the players were doing in the off season. One of his favorite activities was being out on Gull Lake on opening day of fishing season with his brothers who were recognized as the best fisherman.

Harry E. Hayes died on Thursday, March 11, 2004. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest and William Hayes, and his daughter, Joanne Hayes. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Frances Hayes; children: Harry “Butch” Hayes of Kalamazoo and Diane (Eldon) Timmerman of Plainwell; sister, Ann Wright of CA; grandson, Chad (Leslie) Timmerman of Delton; great-granddaughter, Lily Ann Timmerman, and many nieces and nephews.

Friends may visit with Harry’s family on Sunday, March 14, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Life Story Funeral Homes - Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren, Plainwell Chapel. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Monday, March 15, at 11 a.m. at the Prairieville Bible Church. To read Harry’s life story, share a memory with his family, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Prairieville Bible Church or Residential Opportunity of Kalamazoo, please visit his personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.

As those who knew him would say, what Harry did best was just be Harry. If you could grow up to be half the man Harry Hayes was, you will have lived a good life.