Roy Linvil Hayes

Loving Memory of Roy Hayes (March 27, 1947 - April 1, 2024)

Roy Linvil Hayes, 77, of Pampa Texas, lovingly known as Thunder, was welcomed into heaven on April 1, 2024. He left us peacefully and surrounded by family, after a short battle with a vicious lung cancer.

Thunder was born at his Grandma Kidd's house, in Worley Kentucky, on March 27, 1947, to Ida and William Hayes. He lived a quiet life, what most would consider ordinary, but we found exceptional. He had an unmatched exuberance for life, he loved to travel and share his stories of his many adventures, filled with his special brand of wisdom and humor.

He was very proud of his American Indian heritage, belonging to the Western Cherokee Nation, and enjoyed visiting reservations in his travels. Cherokee NC was a favorite place for him. He had a gentle soul, and loved everything with fur, all creatures big or small, and would spend hours feeding our old mare Image apple cookies, and watching the bunnies play in the grass or the hawks overhead. At one time he had owned many doves, and knew more about them, than anyone I have ever met, he was a lover of all winged creatures. Thunder's constant companion, Jake, his ever-faithful dog, seldom left his side and could often be seen, lying on the porch with the boys dreaming of catching bunnies.

Thunder came into our family in 2008, when he moved to Pampa to share his life with Nancy Mears. He had soon ensconced himself and became a cornerstone of our family. He was Joe's early morning coffee buddy. They would meet at the porch and watch the sunrise, just chat about the plans of the day, what today's project might be, fixing the boat, some new fishing light they had seen on a show, they were sure they could fabricate better, designing a heated whelping box for the puppies, or simply sitting and enjoying the company. Thunder had a warm, quiet charm that endeared him to all who knew him. He enjoyed music (and you could often catch him singing some Travis Tritt if you were able to sneak up undetected), fishing, camping, and just being in the outdoors.

He was a compassionate man and friend, and we are honored to have shared a portion of his life with him, although it was the end, we had 15 great years of love and laughter, bbq's and adventure ... his influence and stories will never be forgotten.

In January of 1968, after little formal education, he was able to get his GED and was proud to join the Brownsville Sheriff Department, where he served with honor, for a number of years. He was well loved and respected in the area.  

Thunder was known as a jack of all trades and loved working with computers, fixing cars, woodworking and doing electrical work. In later life he became a maintenance man and kept Pampa Nursing, as well as Meredith House running smoothly. Once he fully retired, you could often find him drowning a worm with Joe, as fishing was one of the things they enjoyed doing together.

During his life, Thunder was blessed with three children from previous relationships, Roy (Rocky) Hayes Jr, Bryan Hayes and Renee Hayes. 

His son Rocky, currently of Ohio, served his country with honor in the USAir Force as a medic, on foreign soil, and Thunder took great pride in him and his accomplishments and spoke of him often.

Thunder was proceeded in death by many family members, and friends, who I am sure greeted him at the gates of Heaven to welcome him home.

Left to mourn is loss are his step-son, of the home Joseph Mears and wife Michelle Norman, Sons: Roy (Rocky) Hayes Jr, and wife Danielle McKinniss, of Ohio, Bryan Hayes and wife Pamela, of Houston, Daughter, Renee Hayes of Houston, step-daughter Jamie Mears of Canyon (7) Grandchildren, Elizabeth Johnson, Bryan Johnson, Annalisa Hayes, Jay Jay Martinez, Elijah Sandoval, Koa Smith, Uriel Smith (5) Step grandchildren: Tristain Hux, Jeremy Mears,  Rhianna Norman, Alayah Chaney who lovingly called him Grumpy, Ashley Cardenas, Alec Miller and (8) great-grandchildren including Easton Lizotte and Layla Hux, a brother Reese Hayes of Wisconsin and his beloved Niece Vicky, and husband Johnny of Chicago, who called and visited regularly.

No public memorial service will be scheduled.

In lieu of flowers a memorial donation can be made to the Western Cherokee Nation, or a charity of your choice.