Obituary: James Wells Hayes

James Wells Hayes: Oct. 19, 1924, to June 25, 2025.

Jim was born in Rocky Point, North Carolina, the son of Nora Wells Hayes and James Brown Hayes.

Jim married Mary Martin Hayes, of Fort Lauderdale, in 1955. Jim and Mary were married for 69 years and blessed to raise Thomas, William, Julia and Daniel at their home on Wauseon Bay in Windermere.

He graduated from Wake Forest University with a BS in Chemistry in 1948, MS in Organic Chemistry from Bowman Gray School of Medicine in 1949. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi.

His sophomore year of college was interrupted to serve in World War II with the U.S. Army in Europe, where he earned a Bronze Star. Jim served in the campaigns of Rhineland and Central Europe in the 415th Infantry Regiment, 104 Division (Timberwolves) as a scout Intelligence and Reconnaissance platoon.

Jim grew up in a farming area that easily led him to the food industry. His first job was as an inspector for the USDA and then Brogdon Laboratories Orlando. He also worked for Safeway Stores Eastern Frozen Food Procurement Division. He retired in 1996 as CEO/General Manager of Winter Garden Citrus Cooperative. He served as President of Winter Garden Citrus Growers Association.

In Orange County, he was civically involved. He served as Chairman of the Orange County Planning and Zoning Board and served on the Butler Chain Navigation Board. He was instrumental in establishing Conserv II. He served on the Drowning Prevention Committee, Citizen Commission for Children (Citizen Must Count Award), SafeKids Coalition and Orlando “Shining Star Award.”

In the West Orange area, he served on the Windermere Town Council and as a Boy Scout leader. He was instrumental in the completion of the West Orange/Roper YMCA. He arranged in-pool swimming, water safety to first-grade students with six West Orange schools with Safe Kids and Every Child a Swimmer and Winter Garden Parks and Recreation.

In retirement, Jim enjoyed home gardening, reading and his lakeside view from his back porch.

Jim is survived by his wife, Mary; sister, Mary Jane Lane; children, Tom, Julie (Alain), Dan (Catherine) and Lois; grandchildren, Jennifer Johnson (Craig), Angelica Hayes, Tom Riotto, Dan Riotto, Jessica Hayes, Camille Evans, Eric Evans, Bryce Hayes and Marlie Hayes; and great-grandchildren, Jude Novak and Sage Novak. 

He is predeceased by his sons William and Bruce.

Jim was a member of St. Luke’s Methodist Church Orlando. 

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts can be made to programs that provide swim lessons and scholarships to children in need: Every Child a Swimmer, online at everychildaswimmer.org or by mail to 1 Hall of Fame Drive,  Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316; or The Gift of Swimming, 205 Windermere Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787.