Nath T. Hayes, 81, of Gainesville, died Friday, March 20, 2015, after a short illness. He was at home surrounded by his family at the time.
Nath was born March 31, 1933, in Atlanta, Ga. He was the son of the late Rev. Zach C. and Sara T. Hayes. He was preceded in death by his brothers Zach and Abbott. He graduated from Richmond Academy in 1951, and then went to the University of Georgia for two years. In 1953, he joined the Army and served in Naples, Italy for three years. In 1956, Nath returned to Gainesville and started working for Sidney O. Smith, Inc. for several years until deciding to create his own insurance company, Nath T. Hayes, Inc.
Nath was involved in the Jaycees and served as the National Director and the President of the local chapter here in Gainesville. He was also a member of the Gainesville Kiwanis Club. He served as chairman of the local Salvation Army Advisory Board and was regularly seen at Christmastime with the red kettle, ringing the bell all over town. Nath loved working as a Voter Registration Poll worker, and serving as a volunteer at Good News at Noon and the Food Pantry. He joined Gainesville First United Methodist Church in 1956 and was an active member of the Aldersgate Sunday School Class whose members meant the world to him.
One of Nath's greatest loves was Lake Winfield Scott where the family has a cabin that was built by his father in 1939. He was President of the Cabin Owners Association and attended the Interdenominational Church Without Walls whenever he was at Lake Winfield Scott on Sunday mornings. Nath, and his dog Simon, would often go to the cabin to watch his beloved Georgia Bulldogs play football to avoid distractions and have peace and quiet.
Nath is survived by wife of 51 years, Joyce Redwine Hayes, whom he met in 1962 while helping form a Sunday School Class at GFUMC. Other survivors include daughter and son-in-law Lisa and Gerry Vertulfo of Eugene, OR; daughter and son-in-law Natalie and Scott Ward of Lake Wylie, SC; son Tom Hayes of Sandy Springs, daughter Kimberly Hayes of Gainesville; daughter and son-in-law Heather and Jeff Chandler of Gainesville; son and daughter-in-law Tim and Jean Hayes of San Francisco, California, and by six grandchildren, Hayes and Mary Ferris Vertulfo; Megan Hayes, Nath and Louisa Hayes, and Isabella Grace Ward. He is also survived by a number of other cousins and nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Sunday, March 22, 2015, at Gainesville First United Methodist Church at 3:00 with the Rev. Wendy Cordova, Dr. Terry Walton, and Rev. Fred Whitley officiating. The family requests that the members of the Aldersgate Sunday School Class serve as honorary pallbearers and to gather at 2:30pm in the Gathering Room of the First united Methodist Church. Family will receive friends at Memorial Park North on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 4:00pm-7:00pm.
Nath requested that donations be made to The Church Without Walls Outreach Fund. This church and outreach program was very near and dear to his heart. Please send checks made payable to Union County First United Methodist Church 938 Highway 515 Blairsville GA 30512 in care of Fred Whitley.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501 is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
