Mark Harrison Hayes

BOUNTIFUL, Utah.  Mark Harrison Hayes, 93, passed away in Ivins, Utah on Sunday, October 4, 2015.  Mark was a very tender, loving man who was devoted to his wife and family.  He and Mother agreed a long time ago that they did not want a viewing, but just a graveside service.  So, that is what we will do.  But Dad, being Dad, did want a picture of himself wearing a halo displayed with his casket.  We’ll do that, too.

Mark (Marcus) was born to Ernest Abraham and Francis Adaline Harrison Hayes on August 6, 1922 in Bountiful, Utah.  He was the very last of eight children and in the autobiography he wrote for his posterity, he begins by saying that his existence came about because it was a very cold winter in 1921 and there was no television. And for that, his children are very glad.

Bountiful was a small town back in the 30s and 40s and perhaps it was inevitable that Mark and Irene Crouch would catch each other’s eye. On September 25, 1942, Marcus Harrison Hayes married Irene Crouch in the Salt Lake Temple.  On September 25, 2014, Mark and Irene celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary, and loved and adored each other every day of their amazing life together.

During 1942, our country was at war and Mark was drafted.  Yes, the wedding happened before Dad was sent overseas to fight for the USA.  After just 3 months of marriage, he reluctantly left his beautiful new bride and served honorably for 3 years with the Army Air Corp in the 47th Air Depot Group in India.  They wrote each other long loving letters during those years of separation…and burned them all upon his return.  Apparently, it was none of our business what they said to each other during those long years.

Upon his return, he began working with his brothers and nephew, Gene Hayes, as a masonry contractor, eventually establishing and running Mark H Hayes Masonry.  Dad built many beautiful buildings, homes and churches which are a great source of family pride.  Particularly those homes he built for his wife and children.  He literally put a roof over our heads and gave us a safe sanctuary to grow and learn and love. His office was in our home, but he was never too busy to hear our stories and listen to our troubles.  He worked very hard, but it was all for his family.  He took us on wonderful vacations, joined in the water balloon fights, let us fill the bathtub with frogs and the house with friends.

And there can be no mention of Mark without acknowledging his amazing sense of humor.  When you asked Mom the secret of their long marriage, she always said, “He makes me laugh!”  He had a very quick wit and always saw the humor in life…even up to the very end when he laughed and teased his hospice aides and nurses.  He also had a very tender heart, which simply couldn’t abide suffering of any kind.  And Mark was honest, always.

Dearest Dad, we will miss your wonderful sense of humor and your ability to laugh at yourself.  We will miss your political incorrectness.  We will miss your tender heart and your honest advice and wisdom.  We will miss your silliness, your hugs and your unconditional love. You are the best Dad ever.

Mark is preceded in death by his wife (Irene); his parents; three sisters (Emily, Ethel and Eva); four brothers (Earnest, Franklin, James and Ralph); and a son, Todd Thomas Hayes.

He is survived by three sons, Craig (Charlotte), Bradd (Corinne), Kent (Garry) and one daughter, Gayle Hayes (fka Gayle Hayes Nielsen).  He also leaves behind eleven grandchildren (Carrie Hayes Kyrouac, Cameron Hayes, Chandra Hayes Sikkema, Rebecca Hayes Espensen, Benjamin Hayes, Todd Hayes, Robb Hayes, Dawn Nielsen, Mark Nielsen, John Nielsen, Cole Castleton), and fourteen and a half great-grandchildren.

Per his wishes, there will be a graveside service only on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 1:30 PM at the Bountiful City Cemetery, located at 2224 South 200 West, Bountiful, Utah, 84010.

Immediately following the graveside service, a short gathering will be held at one of the LDS Chapels Dad built, located at 1500 South 600 East, Bountiful, Utah, 84010, from 2:30 – 4:30 PM.