Gary L. Hayes Sr.

Gary Lamont Hayes, Sr., was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on June 21, 1956, and silently departed this earthly realm on the evening of June 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy Hobby Hayes, Jr., and Lucinda Virginia Grant Hayes; oldest brother, Rev. Dr. LeRoy Rondall Hayes, III; son, Minister Gary Lamont Hayes, Jr., and nephew, Matthew Grant Hayes. Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age. He was raised in the bonds of AME, Presbyterian, and Baptist tenants of faith in the Forest Park Community Church. Originating from the east side of McKean Avenue, he lived in the family home on Sequoia Avenue in the Ashburton community for over 60+ years. Gary was a well-known neighbor in this community. A Jamaican saying is Seven sisters, seven different minds. His siblings were labeled by his father as a preacher, a pilot, a professional, and a parent. He was called a player and poet, and it has been said that his parents raised exceptionally distinct and different children. He attended the neighborhood schools, making many lasting and lifelong friends from Liberty Elementary and Garrison Junior High School. He was among the first African Americans to integrate Northwestern Senior High School. He was a natural-born artist who loved animals, music, and plants passionately. He loved animals fiercely, particularly dogs, and always seemed to bring one home, purchase one or sire one from an early age. He had no problem walking through the neighborhood with a German Shepherd, Bull Mastiff, Great Dane, Afghan Hound, Pit Bull, or a few mutts he loved. As a hunter, he could carve a deer and use the skins to make clothing and equipment from the carcass. He treasured music – instruments (specifically Congo drums), singing, and writing lyrics. Gary had a fine second tenor voice and, singing with his oldest brother, formed a band in high school called, ‘The Third Dimensions.’ Almost every night, practicing in the basement, he sang lead and backup parts from the 1970s R&B groups – The Stylists, the Chi Lites, O’Jays, the Isley Brothers, Earth Wind, and Fire, just to name a few. When he got older, teaming up with a childhood friend, Ronald Walker, he played the Congo drums and often sat with other local bands. In 1974, he graduated from Northwestern High School and was recruited to join the United States Air Force. Receiving an honorable discharge, he returned from Denver, Colorado, to work in Washington, DC, for the Department of the Army, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1986, he received an official commendation cash award for exemplary performance during an emergency as a Water and Electric Distribution Systems Operator. He was acknowledged for his efficiency, calmness, and knowledge of proper safety procedures in responding to and safely capping a leaking chlorine-ton container. He enjoyed growing all kinds of plants – medicinal and nutritional. He was a fighter and a good carpenter; he would throw hands first and fast as a youth and could use a wood knife skillfully to carve symbols and images into wooden walking sticks. As a Serial Entrepreneur, he worked several jobs and completed job training programs, specifically in home improvement, focusing on housing rehabilitation projects. An avid fitness guru who loved athletics, he could be seen jogging and riding his beloved bicycles all over the city. He was certainly a diehard Ravens fan - his favorite football franchise. Socrates said the secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new. Gary was a proud black man, and in his most profound way, he shared his magnetic, unforgettable personality gifts with his village of friends, relatives, and family. For a season in his life, he changed his name to Christ Warrior, a servant of God, on his journey to the hope of a wonderful future in the love and presence of God. This poem, written June 17, 2002, tells of his vision of Heaven and his brother waiting for him to arrive. In Heaven the Streets are made of Gold, In Heaven no one ever gets old. In Heaven the whole place is sin-free, In Heaven God’s Glory we will see. This is the only place His praises never stop, It’s the only place you’ll never need to mop. The Lamb of God in Glory on His Throne, It’s the only place, mansions, we’ll all own. In Heaven my Brother waits for me, In Heaven with Jesus we’ll all be. In Heaven the clean and pure exist, In Heaven I hope you’re on His list. He is free from all anxieties in this new realm of glory and can soar to unimaginable heights. He leaves a legacy of love, support, and humanity, which will echo across future generations to his wife, Desiree Jones Hayes; daughter Shedana Hayes Agent, son-in-law Pastor Steven Agent; daughter Shaina Hayes; daughter-in-law, Angenette Hayes; seven grandchildren Denzell Agent, Deche’ Hayes, Diamonique Henderson (Marlow); Isaiah Hayes; Tanisha Agent (Mykel Morris); and Naisha Agent. Eight great-grandchildren - Zahir Agent, Demi-Royal Agent, Ace Agent, Grace Agent, Kaleel Morris, Kylee Morris, Zoe Guase, and in the uterus, Hendrix Henderson, and a tribe of kinsfolk - aunts, uncles, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Tributes

Gary L. Hayes Sr.

June 21, 1956 - June 13, 2023