V. Rickey "Doc" Hayes III

Vanual "Rickey“ "Doc” Hayes III was born on November 7th, 1957 in Mobile, AL, the son of Vanual Hayes Jr and Janette (Dew) Hayes. His father would later remarry Martha Lois Hayes. They relocated to California where Rickey was raised with his two sisters, Renae and Rita. Rickey was very athletic. He was very proficient in martial arts and broke records in track and field. He was an amazing tumbler and trampolinists. He was so fast that he was recruited to play football for his high school (Palo Alto High) football team where he graduated in 1976. He would go on to receive his Bachelor's degree from San Jose State University and his Master's degree from the University of Northern Colorado. Rickey loved sports so much that he made his career working for many major universities in sports medicine, including Stanford University the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Tuskegee University, Grambling University and Florida A&M. He was named the State of Alabama Athletic Trainer of the Year in 2005. He was a trainer for three Olympics with the USA Judo Team and worked with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. There was something about traveling Rickey loved. He never tired of meeting new people, seeing new places and having new adventures. If he had a spare moment, he enjoyed a little fishing. This all changed when he met and fell in love with Elizabeth Ross. This was a love to last a lifetime. They made their vows on July 14th, 2018 in Stilwell, OK. Together they were unstoppable, spreading their love to their family of one son and three daughters, Josh, Janaya, Torrii, and Sharee. The family made many memories and shared a lot of laughter and love over the coming years. Rickey became sick and ended up in the fight for his life. He had Elizabeth and the children, grandchildren, and extended family that stood by them, letting Rickey know how much he was loved. Through it all, his faith was unwavering, his hope remained strong and his love knew no bounds. The Lord called this hard working servant home from his labors on June 1st, 2023 at his home in Sallisaw, OK, surrounded by the family he loved so much. Rickey was 65 years old and is preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother, Janette Hayes, and several aunts and uncles.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife, Elizabeth Hayes of Sallisaw, OK, and his step children, Josh Crittenden of Pryor, OK, Janaya Crittenden, Torrii Crittenden and Sharee Crittenden all of Sallisaw, OK. He leaves his father and step mother, Vanual Hayes Jr and Martha Hayes, sisters, Renae Loose, Rita Hayes-Fong and her husband Michael Fong. He lives on through his grandchildren, Anaya Elizabeth Harrington, Rain Leigh Haven Scott, Kai Jaden Crittenden, and Kegan Ray Sands, special friends Alfreda and Linda Marable of Tuskegee, AL, Michael Kelly of Phenix City, AL, and mentor, Charlie Miller from San Jose State, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

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

Funeral services for V. Rickey “Doc” Hayes III will be conducted on Friday, June 9th, 2023 at 2:00pm at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Marty Jones officiating. His family will have a visitation for Rickey on Thursday, June 8th, 2023 from 4:00pm until 7:00pm at Reed-Culver Funeral Home in Tahlequah.

Honorary pallbearers for Doc include Brian Croley, Phil Carr, Wayne Harmon, Derrick Dew, Charles Dew, Bobby Johnson, Cedric Dew and Mike Kelley.

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