Funeral services to celebrate the life of Charles Kever “Chuck” Hayes, Jr. were held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 4, 2014 at the Latta Presbyterian Church in Latta, SC. Burial followed in the Bethesda Southern Methodist Church Cemetery, Oak Grove, in Dillon. The family received friends Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Chuck’s memory to Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter, 460 S. Fair Street, Camden, SC 29020.
Chuck Hayes, Jr., husband of Maria Melendez Hayes, died Thursday, July 31, 2014. He was born in Raleigh County, West Virginia, the son the of late Kever and Nina Horton Hayes. Chuck graduated from Latta High School in 1952 and was recipient of the Honor Medal. He graduated with a B.S in Meteorology from Florida State University and a Masters of education in Math Education at the University of SC. Chuck retired from the USAF with the grade of Major. He served three combat tours in Southeast Asia and flew over 390 combat missions. Chuck was awarded a number of decorations including the Distinguished Flying Cross and 18 Air Medals. As an ardent environmentalist and amateur marine archaeologist, he volunteered thousands of hours with the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He is credited with developing the Submerged Cultural Resources Inventory program for the Upper Florida Keys. Locally, Chuck attended Bethesda Presbyterian Church in Camden.
Besides his wife, Chuck is survived by his daughters, Stephanie Hayes-Houlihan (Walter ) and Pandora Hayes Baldree (Dennis); and his grandchildren, Danielle Corcoran, Hailey Dye, Taylor Ledford, Kelsey Houlihan, Jacob Baldree and Shauna Houlihan; great-grandchildren, Aidan, Bailey and Cameron; sister, Ellen Hayes; and niece, Carmen Morelos (Robert).
Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hayes family by visiting www.kornegayfuneral. com.
