Tommie Polete Hayward

Tommie was born in 1942, in Vinita OK. He was the second of three children, and the second son, born to Chester Everett and Laura Dean Hayward.

He joined the US Navy in 1959, serving aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard, and later earning an honorable discharge, in 1963. In 1962, while docked in San Diego, Ca, he met Linda, whom he later married on August 24th, 1963. Because of state laws at the time, Tommie, being a few months shy of his 21st birthday, had to get his mother's written permission to get married.

Shortly after leaving the US Navy, Tommie began work in the aerospace industry, where he worked for over 50 years. During his career, he helped design and improve the manufacturing of parts for NASA's space shuttles. He received two patents, for his work.

Tommie and Linda moved to Saugus, Ca. in 1973, and bought a home that they would spend the next 33yrs in. They raised two daughters, and welcomed a grandson during that time. In 2006, after both retiring, Tommie and Linda moved to Victorville, Ca.

Tommie was preceded in death, by his parents and his brother Chester David "Sonny" Hayward.

Tommie is survived by his wife, Linda Hayward, his daughters Cindy Hayward and Robyn Hayward, his grandson Ricky Pearson, and his sister Julie Rice.

A brief service will be held at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego, on Wed December 18th, at 1:30pm, where Tommie will be laid to rest, with honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gary Sinise Foundation www.garysinisefoundation.org/donate