Randall R. Hayes "Randy" was born October 30, 1953 in the Akron, Colorado hospital, the second child of Leland G. and Alice (Woodhouse) Hayes. His brother, John, was eight years older.  He grew up and attended schools in Akron, graduating with the class of 1972.  He served in the U.S. Army for three years beginning in September of 1972.

On May 27,1973, Randy married his high school sweetheart, Linda Jesse, at the Presbyterian Church in Akron.  In June, he was assigned duty at Wharton Barracks in Heilbronn, Germany,  and Linda joined him in September.   His Military Occupational Specialty was 11B.  Quickly moving through the ranks, he received several awards including Soldier of the Year in 1974.  He and his team climbed the Zugspitze.  As Training NCO, one of the maneuver exercises he was proud to create was a training down the Rhine River.   While in Germany, Randy and Linda travelled extensively.   They enjoyed an initial introduction to the German culture from Randy's cousin Norman Douglas who was also stationed in Germany.   Randy was an avid fan of Formula I Racing, and they made a special effort to attend all the races they could.  They also enjoyed visiting castles and other historical sites as they travelled to the races.

After serving in the U.S. Army for three years, they returned to Denver where he was employed as a loan officer. He attended college nights, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Aviation Management.   In 1978, they moved to Akron where he started an aircraft engine overhaul business with his father.   In 1981,  he was asked by the town trustees to assume the FBO (Fixed Base Operator) lease at the Akron airport, which he did, and at that time expanded his business to include aircraft maintenance and fueling.   He later added aircraft painting to the services he provided.

After returning to Akron, Randy and Linda became the parents of two children, Ryan and Jessica. Randy thoroughly enjoyed his role as father.  He was a great mentor to both children and loved discussing their interests with them into adulthood.  He was very proud of both his children. When the grandchildren came, it was another joy to interact with them.  He was so looking forward to spending more time with them and ultimately watching them grow into adults.

As the FBO operator, he worked tirelessly to improve the airport for the community.  His vision over the years included working with grants and user taxes to improve the facilities,  including a new runway built to a length and strength to accommodate narrow-body airliners,  a new ramp, a fuel farm, fuel trucks, and security fencing.  A master plan was developed and followed.  He was instrumental in coordinating activities with engineers, builders and intergovernmental agencies.   He was state representative to the NBAA for several years.

The National Radial Engine Exhibition (NREE) was an idea he suggested to several local aviation-minded people as a means to showcase the airport capabilities. Those people enthusiastically took on the project, formed a committee and began working year-round to organize the annual NREE event.  Held the second Saturday in September, it ran for nine years from 2003 to 2011, entertaining thousands over that time,  and growing into an airshow with several other activities including WWII reenactments, radial airplanes, and a car show.

Randy was also active in community activities including the Masonic Lodge and the First Presbyterian Church Akron.   He served as church elder for many years, and has been involved in large church projects such as the facility remodeling in the 80's and the denomination move in the last ten years.   He was a very spiritual man, and rarely missed service on Sundays.

Anyone who knew Randy was aware of the many interests he cultivated, his sense of right and wrong, his love of stories, and in general his engineering mind which could find a better way to build or process almost anything.   He will be greatly missed by his family, his business and his community.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother, and his daughter.   He is survived by his wife Linda, his son Ryan, his grandchildren Nehemiah Hayes, Ryker Ishino, Kiara Ishino, Kaisen Ishino, and Alice Hayes, his nephew Kerry Hayes, and his son-in-law Ryan Ishino.

Randy died Thursday, February 19, 2026 at St Anthony's Hospital in Lakewood.  A funeral service will be held Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.  Interment will follow at the Akron Cemetery.  Memorial donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.