REVEREND MR. CHARLES HAYS

Reverend Mr. Charles Hays, a Deacon in the Catholic faith, released his spirit to God on April 11, 2009. Deacon Hays died from complications caused by Parkinson's disease. His wife and daughters were blessed to be by his side at his peaceful passing.

He was born on May 8, 1931 to Walter and Nicole Hays in Independence, Missouri. He was the youngest of five children, all of which, along with their loving parents, are in Heaven to greet him. Charlie served as an Air Force Medic Staff Sergeant in the Korean War. Upon his return home, he courted and married, Rosalyn Moore the following September. Rosalyn and Charlie were married for 54 wonderful years. They met in the church choir at Saint Anne's Catholic Church in Fairmont, Missouri, where he sang bass and she sang alto. In 1995, he was ordained a Catholic Deacon, by Cardinal Mahoney, in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Deacon Charlie served the parishioners of La Purisima de Concepcion Catholic Church for ten years. Charlie worked for the City of Lompoc for 22 years as the Assistant City Engineer.

Charlie and Rosalyn brought nine children into this world, including Charlie Jr., Margaret Mary and Claire who preceded Charlie in death. He has six devoted daughters, along with their husbands, Amy and Chet Romberger, Tess and Jules Hain, Katie and Larry Marshall, Anna and Thomas Hawk, all of Lompoc, Rosalie and David Martinez of Murrieta, and Susan and Gary Kesselring of Orcutt. Charlie was the proud grandpa of Molly, Sarah, Christina and Scott, Julie and Ryan, Jacob and Chrissy, Jenna and Jason, Tommy and Nicki, Libby, Luke, Veronica, Bernadette, Ross and Bella, and great grandpa of babies Daphne and Natalie.


Deacon Charlie would always end his sermons with "Amen and thank you Jesus." We rejoice as his faithful spirit goes forth to our Holy Father, and so we say, "Amen, and thank you Jesus."


The Hays family would like to thank the staff at Lompoc Hospital who took such loving care of Charlie, especially Dr. Christopher Lumsdaine, Dr. Sinkaset, Dr. Lam, David from Physical Therapy and all of the wonderful nurses. We would like to thank Marian Hospice and the nurses, especially Vicki and Laura, who helped us during his last days at home. A special thank you goes to Father Fitzgerald and Father Tom Cook for their tender spiritual care.

Vigil services will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at La Purisima Catholic Church. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday at La Purisima Catholic Church with the Most Reverend Bishop Thomas J. Curry officiating. Burial will follow at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

Friends and family may pay their respects at the church from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Catholic Charities in honor of Deacon Charles Hays.