Obituaries

John Stephen (Steve) Hayes, 56,of Kingston, OK, formerly of Sherman, TX, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2018. Steve was born on September 20, 1961 in Sherman, TX to Stanley and Barbara Hayes. Growing up, Steve loved Scouting and attending Camp Grayson, Philmont and the National Jamboree. He earned his Eagle Scout Award at the age of fifteen, and he was so proud of his nephew, Patrick Fletcher, when he also earned his Eagle Scout Award. Steve had a love for flying and got his private pilot's license when he was sixteen. He graduated from Sherman High School, Class of 1979, then attended Southeastern Oklahoma State University with a major in Aviation and a minor in Business, Steve flew as a pilot for Sam Turner Flying Service of Grayson County, conducting many charter flights, after getting his commercial license. He continued on in getting both his single-engine and multi-engine instructor's licenses, and his instrument rating. He completed Airline Crew Training and received his B-737 rating as a B-737 transport pilot. His flight instructor wrote in Steve's evaluation that he, and his flight staff, could not say enough about Steve's grit, spirit, respectful attitude and top-notch performance, then added, "though Steve is not from a military background, he performed better than any F-16 jock in his class. Steve later got his Real Estate and Realtor licenses. He was an active member of the Grayson County Board of Realtors. He was also a certified Real Estate Appraiser and worked many years with his Dad, Stanley Hayes, in the field of real estate appraising. Steve joined the Denison Fire Department while also earning his Paramedic certification at Grayson County College. He was honored by being named the Outstanding Medical Technician and Paramedic of his graduating class, by his peers and classmates. Steve worked through the ranks, becoming a Captain and Chief Training Officer. He retired as a Battalion Chief. He married the love of his life, Fondi Holman Wesevich on May 1, 2015. He and Fondi had been classmates of the same graduating class at Sherman High School, Class of 1979. Steve is survived by his loving wife, Fondi Hayes, her daughters, Jana Royer and husband, Tyler of Bartlesville, OK, and Laura Barrett and husband Joshua of Houston, TX, mother, Barbara Hayes of Sherman, TX, sister Susan Hayes Fletcher and husband, Brian, and nephew, Patrick Fletcher of Frisco, TX. He is also survived by nephew, Alexander Stephen Hayes (Alex) and fiancé, Sarah Stevenson of Denton, TX, step-daughter Mandy Hammond and husband, Kevin, of Durant, OK, two step-sons, several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his father, Stanley Hayes, his grand parents John and Lena Leonard of Durant, OK and Stanley and Mauldine Hayes of Pottsboro, TX. Steve's family hopes that his decision to be an organ donor will give the gift of life to all the recipients. Family visitation will be Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at Dannel Funeral Home from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at a later date. You may sign the online guestbook at www.dannelfuneralhome.com .