Born on March 1, 1930, James Hayes was the second child of the late Marcellous and Thelma Leary Hayes. He attended and graduated from Shelby High School in 1950.

Upon graduation, he was employed by the Union Trust Company, serving as a bookkeeper, teller, vault custodian, and assistant cashier until 1959. He was also employed by Colonial Theatres for 13 years as a projectionist at the Roger's Theater, Carolina Theater, and the Sunset Drive-In Theater in Shelby.

In 1959, he was employed by the City of Shelby Parks and Recreation Department's

Commission as the Bowling Director of the City Park Bowling Lanes. Later, in 1966, he was appointed the Director of Activities of the Royster Memorial Golf Course. Bowling at the park had primarily been duckpin bowling from the beginning. Under his direction, the six lanes hosted the N.C. State Duckpin Tournament, with several hundred bowlers participating.

In 1961, due to N.C. labor laws, the park installed six automatic pinsetters to accommodate tenpin bowling--a first in this area. This allowed unlimited promotion and a 24-hour operation. Leagues for men, women, and children were organized, participating on Mondays through Sundays in the mornings and evenings. Leagues for children were scheduled on Saturday mornings.

He also helped form the Shelby Tenpin Bowling Association. Each week, he wrote an article for the Shelby Daily Star entitled Pin Fall, reporting the bowling activities at City Park.

As the Golf Director, he served as cashier and maintenance supervisor over the course,

overseeing the transformation of the ten greens from common Bermuda to 328 green. He also had the city construct cart paths on the nine holes. To help his promotions, he purchased 30 gasoline golf carts to encourage more play at the course. He formed the first Industrial Golf League with 12 teams participating. He also promoted team competition on Mondays,

Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Scramble tournaments for men and women were held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, weather permitting. Golf clinics were offered at no charge to men, women, and youth of all ages. The course hosted a Pro-Am event with 10 area professional golfers paired with three amateurs. Under his direction, the Royster Golf Association grew from 50 members to 212 members, supporting the course. The course was also home to the Shelby Middle School golf team, hosting their home events.

He served as both the Golf and Bowling Director until his retirement on January 1, 1986, after 30 years of service.

During the Korean Conflict, he served his country in the U.S. Army's 969th and 423rd Construction Engineers from 1951 to 1953, reaching the rank of corporal. He was stationed at Camp Rucker, Alabama; on TDY at Camp Stewart, Georgia; Fort Belvoir, Virginia; and Fort Rucker, Alabama. During his tour of duty, he served in the training field for new recruits and later as a company personnel clerk for his company at the 423rd Engineers Battalion Headquarters. He successfully completed courses in Engineering Leadership, Refrigeration Mechanics, Explosives and Demolition, and Heavy Equipment Operation.

He was an active member of Bethel Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and as past 1st Vice President of the Deacon Body. He also served as the board's recording secretary. Other ministries he was involved in included the Bethel Baptist Men's group and their assigned projects. He was the church's grounds custodian for several years and served on the church's personnel committee in the past.

He was also involved in the church's media-video ministry, recording and distributing tapes and DVDs to the church's shut-ins and homebound members. He served in the Children's Church and Vacation Bible School as a bus driver.

He is survived by a son, Timothy Leary Hayes, and his wife, Pamela; an adopted daughter, Amy Carswell and spouse Ed; two granddaughters, Chastity Horsley and spouse Jacob and Amber Voronov and spouse Albert; a great-grandson, Aiden Voronov; and a great-granddaughter, Katie Horsley. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death, in addition to his parents, were his wife of 54 years, the former Marjorie Ann Smith of the Sharon community; two sisters, Rosemary H. Perkins and spouse Gene and Marlin H. Ensley and spouse Jimmie; and a brother, Bobby Hayes. Also preceding him in death were his stepfather, Charlie Reece; stepmother, Ocie Elliott Hayes and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Ed & Rachel Smith, Donald & Lorene Self, A.G. Whisnant, Jim & Virginia Hamrick, and James & Mildred Blackwell.

He would like to thank the following friends for making his final days more bearable: Pastor Tim Sims, Cicero Terry, Terry & Robin Goldman, Don & Marie Honeycutt, Ed & Amy Carswell, Bruce & Phyllis Eaker, a special nephew, Larry Self, and his very loving church family.

A memorial military service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church on DeKalb Street, Sunday, May 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM with Dr. Timothy Sims, Rev. Stephen Brackeen, Rev. Larry Franks, and Bro. Chuck Rinehart officiating.

Funeral arrangements are being entrusted to Cecil Burton Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church Building Fund.

Online condolences may be shared at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Hayes family.