Brian Michael Hayden

Brian Michael Hayden, 68, of San Antonio, TX, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2022 with his wife, Denise, lovingly by his side. Brian was born on April 28, 1954 to Paul and Eve Hayden in Chicago, IL. Brian grew up in Canoga Park, CA where he loved swimming, working on cars, fishing, being with friends and his big brother and picking on his little sister. After graduating high school, Brian joined the United States Air Force in 1973 where he started in the fire department and ended his Military service as an environmental inspector and educator. In 1974 Brian met the love of his life Denise Sims in Arcadia, CA where they married just months after meeting. A year later they had their son Joseph Hayden in Wichita Falls, TX and in 1976 they welcomed their daughter Angela Hayden in Riverside, CA. Shortly after Brian was stationed in Germany where they spent 5 years cultivating what became lifelong friendships. In 1982 the family moved back to the states and settled in at Brooks AFB in San Antonio, TX. In 1990 Brian was medically retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after a career ending heart attack on a 2 year tour away from his family in Greenham Common AFB in England.. Post his Military career, Brian traveled the United States as a business consultant designing and building specialty animal hospitals in metropolitan areas including Laguna Beach, CA, Brooklyn, NY, Chicago, IL and Dallas, TX. He was an extremely hard worker, dedicated and determined to provide for his family and give them the life they deserved even if it meant having to be away from home for extended periods of time. Brian’s family meant the world to him. He was most proud of his two children and loved watching his family grow by adding 7 grandsons to the family.

Brian loved music; he was a trumpet player, could play the harmonica just enough to be dangerous and you could often hear him whistling, humming a tune or literally making hand fart noises to different tunes for his own enjoyment with no one around.

Brian lived with congestive heart failure and COPD for the last 30 years of his life. On July 9, 2012 he got a second chance at life when he got a heart transplant from a generous donor whose own life was taken in a motorcycle accident. This journey brought him a whole new level of responsibility to his health as he became the national spokesman for the CDC’s anti-smoking campaigns. He traveled speaking with youth groups, local and national government officials and helped change smoking laws in not just the state of Texas but nationally. He battled COPD even after a successful heart transplant with humor, bravery and strength. He lived everyday to ensure Denise wanted for nothing and he was determined to not let the disease keep him from doing the things he loved.

Everyone who knew Brian knew that he was an extremely funny, witty, charismatic and a grumpy guy. He was quick to irritation yet even quicker to help where and when he could. Brian loved teasing all the kids, stirring all the pots and he loved a good dad joke. He never met a funny shirt he didn’t like and he loved taunting all he could on social media. Most of all Brian loved his family very much. He is survived by his wife Denise, Son, Joe and his wife Pamela, daughter Angela and her wife Simone and grandchildren Connor, Gavin, Riley, Logan, Nik, Caelan, Jacob. Brian also leaves behind his brother Keith, Sisters-in-law Joanne, Patty, Gidget, Renee and Jianghe, brothers- in- law Mark, Chris, Joe S., Eugene, and Joe R. as well as a plethora of nieces and nephews ranging from ages 3-49 whom he loved very much. Brian will forever be in all our hearts and missed very much.

Brian was preceded in death by his parents Eve and Paul Hayden, sister Roberta Raines, Mother -in- Law Anita Sims, Father-in-Law Joe Sims, Brother-in-law Mark Sims, and nephew Ryan Santana.

There will be a memorial /Visitation on Wednesday, January 4, 2023 from 5PM - 8PM at Colonial Funeral

Home in Universal City, TX. All are welcome to come and share your favorite Brian Memory or story

Committal Service with Military Honors will be held at 11:30AM Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, Shelter #3, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd., San Antonio, Texas 78209

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Hayden family.