Chapter Eternal
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Funeral service for Mr. Thomas Hardy Hays, 79, of Monroe, LA, will be held at 10:00AM Tuesday, February 28, 2023, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home Sterlington Rd. Monroe with The Rev. Whit Stodghill officiating. Graveside service will be held at 1:00PM Tuesday at Arcadia City Cemetery in Arcadia, LA. Visitation will be from 9:00AM until service time Tuesday at Mulhearn Funeral Home.
Mr. Hays was born on February 20, 1944, in Ruston, LA and went to his heavenly home on February 24, 2023, after a battle with dementia/Alzheimer’s. He graduated from Arcadia High School and attended LA Tech, earning a degree in electrical engineering and a master’s in business. After a short stint at Ford Bacon and Davis, he then opened his own consulting firm doing mechanical and electrical engineering. Hardy was always complimented on his attention to detail on his plans.
If you knew Hardy, you know from a young age he was an old car buff. He could take a piece of junk and turn it into a beautiful treasure. He and Ginger took many old car trips with friends to Tennessee and Arkansas, especially in the fall to see the leaves turn. They found Cruising the Coast where they both decided they needed a T-bird. As soon as they got home, he found one.
Hardy took the dimensions from a drawing of a Model A and precisely drew it on his computer. He then found an old chassis, cut the wood pieces, and built his own Model A. The State Police came to check it out to make sure it was street legal, of course it was. He was never satisfied with the woodworking, so he ended up building three Woodies, each one better than the last. Many days he could be seen driving three or four different cars.
Hardy was preceded in death by his parents, Lem and Josphine Hays, and his sister, Judith.
Survivors include the love of his life, his wife of 42 years, Ginger Thompson Hays; children, Kimberly Hays Spier and husband Phil, Henry Hays and wife Melissa, Presley Hays Whidden and husband Brett, Errett Porter and wife Sheryl, and Aimee Greene and husband Eric; and grandchildren, Ben and Sam Spier, Emma, Henry, and Nathan Hays, Jack, Kelly, Will, and Molly Whidden, and Erin and Ainsley Akin. Surviving also, lifelong friend, Jewel Abney and his four-legged friends, Max and Trixie, who he loved dearly.
Pallbearers will be Errett Porter, Eric Greene, Brett Whidden, Phil Spier, Henry Hays, and Robbie Stigletts.
Memorials may be made to Chennault Aviation Museum or to the Best Friend Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.
Online Registry/Condolences: www.mulhearnfuneralhome.com
James Fondren (1967)
I grew up in the Sigma Nu Fraternity at LA TECH when the Chapter was still in its early beginnings and Hardy Hays was one of the primary leaders. During my visits with Hardy, he would say, "We should all be afraid to die before we do one great thing for humanity during our lifetimes." Hardy attributed this thought to Charlie Chadburn who founded the Chapter, but it was Hardy who handed down this excellent philosophy to future generations and I still recall it today. The Fraternity loved Hardy and he became one of the most beloved Commanders who not only espoused the creed of the fraternity but also lived it, and we loved him for it!
Hardy was a Man of Substance and many-talented who also played string bass in a trio of fraternity brothers who sang and performed Country and Western songs in a few restaurants in Monroe during his Tech years. Hardy had a favorite seafood restaurant in Monroe that he took many of us from the Fraternity. I had only seen this practice in movies, but Hardy would slip the Maitre D' a substantial tip when we first walked. Hardy's tip ensured that not only did we get a great table, but we received great service and sometimes extra dishes at a "discount."
Brothers, I want you to remember Hardy for his great leadership and how much he was appreciated among the Chapter's leaders. We enjoyed him in this life; but, we know that we will see Hardy again in his resurrected body with intellect and humor in tact when we are called to our final home by the LORD!