James R. Hayes

Dr. James Robert Hayes of Victoria died peacefully on January 22, 2011 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Galveston on Dec 8, 1947 to Louise Donelson Hayes and the late Hugh Edwin Hayes. After high school, he acquired a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Houston followed by a Master’s Degree in Anatomy and Physiology and Master’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas in 1972. Dr. Hayes then attended The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, where he received a Doctor of Medicine and completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Dr. Hayes moved to Victoria to join the Victoria Womenʼs Clinic. In thirty-two years of private practice he earned a reputation of compassion, respect and kindness.

Dr. Hayes was the Medical Director of The UTMB Regional Maternal and Child Health Program and faculty of OB Gynecology School of Medicine. His concern for patients motivated the development of this program, which is a unique institution devoted to early identification and remediation for individuals facing obstacles in their prenatal care.

Dr. Hayes was a genuine leader in the Victoria medical community, serving as a board member of each Victoria Hospital. In 2000 he was invited to serve on the Board of Directors of Citizens Medical Center. Dr. Hayes was elected Chairman of the Board in 2005 and was the hospital’s first Physician-Chairman. He considered the period of time he spent on the Citizens Medical Center Board one of the most important aspects of his life’s work. Dr. Hayes was dedicated to ensuring Citizens Medical Center remain on the cutting edge of technology and medicine.

He was an avid golfer and loved college football. He had high morals and a strong work ethic that he passed along to his children. He enjoyed time at home, cooking, reading and watching the sunset with his wife and two dogs.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 24 years Dorothy “Dot” Chappell Hayes, sons Benjamin Hayes of Los Angeles, Jamie Hayes and his wife Brooke of Edmond, OK, Saralin Hayes of Houston and Douglas Blair Hunt of Victoria. Also surviving are his grandchildren James, Presley and Georgia Hayes; sister and brother-in-law Sue Ann and Alan Cobb of Dallas, brother Thomas Hayes of Arizona, brother-in-law Bruce Chappell of Victoria, sister-in-law Shirley Chappell of Houston and numerous nieces and nephews. Jim also leaves behind many extended family members and dear friends who were such an important part of his life.

Visitation will be held from 5pm to 7pm on Friday, January 28 at Rosewood Funeral Chapels.

The Funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral at 11 am on Saturday, January 29, with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Pallbearers are: Dr. Charles Jaynes, Dr. Thomas Ashy, Dr. Tanya Seiler, David Brown, Dr. Mark Zafereo, Jr., Honorable Don Pozzi, Jim West, Peggy Bryant and Suzanne Stone.

Serving as Honorary Pallbearers are Dr. Bruce T. Bauknight, Dr. Shahid Hashmi, George Foster, Linda Uthoff, Dr. Terry Whitehouse, Dr. Lauren Owensby, Turner Moller, Joe Mitchell, Fred Lynch, Billy Janssen, Jeff Payne, VCC MGA, the Staff of Citizens Medical Center.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert Wolf, Maria Petzel, and the countless nurses and staff of Citizens Medical Center who continued to laugh with him and provided tender and loving care during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations made to the James R. Hayes, M.D. Pancreatic Cancer Research for the Cure fund c/o Freddy Lynch, First Victoria National Bank, 101 South Main, Victoria TX 77901-8154. Condolences may be left at www.rosewoodfuneralchapel.com.