James Earl Hayes

James Earl Hayes, 71, of Cocoa Beach, FL, and formerly Portland, TN, passed away at home on February 2, 2015. He was born July 6, 1943 in Griffin, GA, the third son of the late Jimmy E. and Ophia (Anderson) Hayes.

Earl earned his BS Degree in Business Administration from North Georgia College and received a commission of 2nd LT, USAR. Following completion of the Infantry Officer Basic Course and Airborne Course at Ft. Benning, GA, he was deployed to Viet Nam in August 1965. After a 15 month tour of duty in Berlin, Germany he returned to Viet Nam for a second tour in February 1968. He received the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor, and Armed Forces Honor Medal, in addition to the Combat Infantry Badge, and other meritous awards.

Upon resignation of his USAR Commission in 1970, Earl earned a Master's Degree in Fish Management from Auburn University and worked as a Fishery Biologist with the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in Nashville, TN. Before retiring to Cocoa Beach in 2006, he was a real estate broker in Portland, TN and was an active member of the Kiwanis Club and Chamber of Commerce.

Earl is survived by his wife of 50 years, Lucile (Mann), a son Thomas E. and Lynda (Johnson) Hayes, a daughter Carol (Michael) Langley, and grandchildren Brenna, Samantha, Anderson, and Katie Hayes, Ethan and Kyra Hayes, and Daniel Langley.

He was a current member of the Satellite Beach United Methodist Church, the Brevard Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and the Indian River Camp 47, CSA, and the Chapter XXI Special Forces Association.

His urn will be placed in the Georgia National Cemetary in Canton, GA at a later date. An online guest book is available at www.floridamemorialfh-gardens.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in Earl's name may be made to Satellite Beach United Methodist Church (450 Lee Avenue, Satellite Beach, FL 32937) or Hospice of St. Francis (1250-B Grumman Place, Titusville, FL 32780).