At 8:25am on Saturday, January 17th 2015, we said goodbye to Leo Ray “Buddy” Hayes Jr., and the world of all those who knew him became smaller. Buddy passed away as the result of an early morning auto accident, which occurred as he was returning to his Naval station near Jacksonville, Florida. Family and friends may find peace knowing that his mother and father were with him, holding him close, and playing messages from his two sisters, Shea and Keisha. Buddy left our world for what awaits with the strength and reassurance of those he so admired, and loved.
Buddy Hayes was a bright and thoughtful person. He was always willing to help others. Yet perhaps his finest quality was his humor—his ability to see the best in a situation and face it with a smile.
He grew up in Sedro-Woolley, WA and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School in 2011. Buddy joined the U.S. Navy where he served his country honorably as an Aviation Machinists mate. He was assigned to the USS Vicksburg and most recently to the HSM 70 squadron in Jacksonville. Buddy was respected by his many friends and shipmates who, like his family and friends at home, will always hear his laughter, see his smile, and feel the simple joy of his presence.
Buddy is survived by his parents, Leo and Lisa Hayes of Gonzales, Louisiana and his sisters, Keisha Hayes and her husband Mitchell Williams of Sedro-Woolley and their son Jet and Shea Zabala and her husband Roderick of Honolulu, Hawaii. His grandparents, Minnie Hayes of Sedro-Woolley, Gary Hayes and his wife Molly of Mount Vernon, and Bill and Donnell Lamb of Sedro-Woolley. Numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and a nephew.
A Celebration of Buddy’s Life will be held at the Sedro-Woolley High School Auditorium on Saturday, January 24, 2015 at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow in the high school cafeteria. Share memories of Buddy and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com
So sorry for your loss, I guess it’s true that the good die young. I know he was a wonderful handsome young man who will be missed by more people than you will every know. My heart hurts for your family, and I pray that God will guide you through these dark days. Remember all the good times you had, and look back on them with fondness. R.I.P. Buddy.
Lisa & Leo, So very sorry for your loss. You will be in our hearts and prayers. We have always missed you guys. Our only regret was not getting to know Buddy as he grew into the man you molded him to be. We pray that God gives your family the Strength, Peace, Love and Mercy you all need to get thru this terrible time in you all’s lives.
Our hearts ache for the loss of your cherished son , wish you love and peace in knowing all of us who are praying and thinking of you. Buddy will be remembered forever , by all those who knew and loved him .May God be with you all through this saddest of times .
So sorry for your loss. I loved Leo just as much as everyone else. I miss his smile his face. There isn’t one thing bad I can say about Leo He was more than a great guy. As of my brother being lost in 2012 I know how it feels to lose a close loved one. He was my world my everything. So my heart goes out to u guy. His family whom I know were very close with. May he rest in peace. God bless <3
So sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family.
Lisa and Leo I am so sorry to hear about Son passing away. My heart goes out to both of you and your family. I know how hard it is for a parent to lose a child (I lost my Son 3 years ago) My prayers are with you.
Lisa and family, i am so sorry, keeping you in my prayers.
Leo & Lisa, you folks raised a great kid and very good man. The loss of Buddy is a tremendous loss for all. May you find peace in knowing how many lives Buddy touched and the positive affect he had on so many people. Words can’t explain how sorry we are for your loss. Our thoughts go with you and your entire family.
On behalf of the Orlando Police Department, I would like to say it was an honor to provide assistance in sending your son home to you. I hope you find comfort in knowing that he was handled carefully, with respect and dignity. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Sincerely,
Master Sergeant Rhonda Huckelbery
Hayes family❤
Words can’t explain what I would like to say to you all.
You are all truley amazing. I’ve always envyed a family like yours. A whole. A beautiful bond. Lisa an Leo raised a very good man! A man with a kind heart, a family man who loves an revolves his life around his family, strong hard working man with a amazing sense of humor who touched many, many lives. As much as this kill all of us to let go of such a beautiful person, we can only imagine your true pain. Nobody should ever feel this way or loose someone so valuable to them. I pray for your strength & healing every single night!! Buddy will always live in our heart an minds till the day we meet again! All of our beautiful memories!! With all the love in the world!! Rest in peace my dear friend. ❤
Leo, Lisa, Keisha, & Shea~
Hold on tight to those precious, wonderful memories you have of Buddy…they will help get you through the times you miss him the most. Leo & Lisa, you obviously did something right in raising that kid because he has touched so many lives and hearts! I can’t imagine the pain you are all going through, but know that he will live on in your hearts and many, many others.
Sincere condolences from the Olander family
Sue, Kim, & Tammy
Leo & Lisa- Our hearts and prayers go out to you all with this incredible loss you have all suffered. We cannot even fathom the anguish you are all having to endure for this is truely the hardest thing a parent could go through. Rest in the thought that Leo Jr. is now in Heaven and is happy. Jeo Sr. I love ya like a brother bud and wish I could be there for you!!
My heart goes out to each of you. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Leo, Lisa, Keisha and Shay,
My heart is so broken for all of you. Buddy truly was one of the nicest kids I have known. He was such a great friend to Colby, from Kindergarten till now. We loved having him around. He always came through the door with a big smile, and would give a hug to me if it had been a while. We were blessed to have him in our lives. Colby and Buddys friendship was genuine and they would do anything for each other. We will forever hold our memories close of Buddy, and that infectious sweet smile. Our love and prayers are with all of you.
Truly sorry for Your loss, Our harts and prayers are with you.
Leo, Lisa, Keisha, and Shea
I am very sorry for your loss you are all in my thoughts and prayers. I am so fortunate to have met such a sweet, caring, funny guy. I was lucky to have even made some great memories with Buddy and Colby. He was the friend of Colby’s I enjoyed having around and was always welcomed. He was such a goofball able to make me laugh, he definitely knew how to brighten someone’s day. Buddy was so very caring for his friends and family and that was something I admired about him. Buddy you will always and forever be in our hearts, until we meet again.
To all of Buddy’s family, We send all of you the biggest hugs, the deepest prayers, and strongest love. We have lit candles in his honor. We pray for the angels to hold you all in their care during this very sad time and in the coming years. Cherish your wonderful memories, because I know that your family made many. Peace to all of you, sincerely, Tina Schulze Rexroth and family/Julius and Maria Schulze
We weren’t close friends, but in school he was one of the few who were kind to me and didn’t judge me for expressing myself in my own ways and own fashion. He was always cracking jokes in class and making everyone laugh. I always saw Leo as a very kind hearted guy who went out of his ways to help others and put smiles on their faces. I wish I could make it over that way to attend. He will be missed greatly and I wish the best for his family. My prayers be with you always!
Buddy
I am so blessed to of called you my friend. Its amazing how many life’s you have touched in such a short life, just shows the kind of person you really are. I will never be able to replace the kind of friendship you offered to me. You were the happiest person I have ever met always a smile on your face. We had a lot of big plans ahead of us that will have to wait. But I know you are in a better place now and that gives me comfort. You will never be forgotten or replaced. I will miss you until we meet again. Save me a seat next to the big guy Buddy!
What a sad loss for Sedro Woolley..He is a great guy..
Leo and Lisa,
we wanted to just write a note to let you know how sorry we are for your loss, our prayers and hearts are with you and your family, Sedro Woolley is a small town, and you feel like everyone is a family member.
love lisa and jay Anderson
Sorry we cannot attend but our family is and will always be with each and everyone of you during this difficult time and always. Buddy will never be forgotten as an Angel in heaven he will always be with us.
I am so sorry for loss.
I’ll never understand why the most horrible things happen
to the best of people… It breaks my heart that he’s gone and his
family is suffering beyond anything we can comprehend or imagine..
Buddy was a freshmen when I was a senior,
and I was introduced to him through his sister Keisha.
Some punk in his class was giving him a hard time,
threatening to beat him up or whatever. I promised
Buddy and made damn sure that was never gonna happen.
I had his back and he told everybody about it back then.
It brings a smile to my face when I think about that..
Buddy was such a great young man. I NEVER ever saw him
with a frown on his face. Always a huge smile and cracking jokes.
He had a goofy laugh that made everybody else laugh.
He was always positive and never bad mouthed anybody.
He was younger than me, but I always admired and looked
up to him for his tremendous ability to be positive, kind,
respectful, and loving towards everyone. I feel blessed that
our lives crossed paths and that I was able to call him a friend.
This great young man was called home to be with The Lord far too
soon. He is so loved and will be loved forever by all of us down
here on earth. I extend my love, support, and encouragement,
to his sisters and his parents who cherished every hair on his head.
Thank you for sharing Buddy with all of us.
I am so terribly sorry for what you all are fighting through.
God bless and watch over this family.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving
for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Leo and Lisa I was so shocked and saddened to learn of Buddy’s passing. No parent should have to go through the loss of a child. I will keep him and you and your family in my prayers and hope you find peace and consolation in God.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing young man that touched so many. My heart goes out to all of you during this unimaginable tragedy. I send you all my love and strength.
Seeing a Blue and white pickup truck coming knowing your going to see a bigger and shinier smile on his face than the one he has polished on the grill of his truck. That smile will be missed. But we know he’ll be sharing it with the people he is surrounded by now. Our Love and Condolances goes out to the family.
Sorry for your loss Leo and family.
Leo & Lisa,
You raised a fine young man, be proud. Our hearts go out to you all. He will be forever loved and missed by many.
Sending you strength, peace & love now and forever.
The Dralle family
My heart became a little heavier because for me Buddy lives there now. Will always remember that sweet boy and the wonderful family oriented young man he became. Leo, Lisa, Keisha and Shea I would give anything to help take away some of your pain.
Such an incredible person, what a huge loss ! Buddy you’ve touched so many people during your life here on earth, and your memories you’ve left upon us, will never be forgotton, we will keep you alive forever…
My heart just aches looking at that sweet face and reading this beautiful obituary. Sending lots of love to the whole family.