Hayes, Donald Spencer

Don S. Hayes, of Blacksburg, Va., passed away on October 8, 2026. He was 92. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Georgia Hayes, and by his brother, Lewis (Norma) Hayes.

He is survived by his wife, Sarah, his children, Perry Hayes (Jan) and Lynn Hayes, and by his grandchildren, Spencer Hayes, Graham Hayes (Ginny) and Ellie Long.

Don was born on June 21, 1934 in Nashville, TN. He graduated from Isaac Litton High School in 1952. A skilled athlete, Don played college football on scholarship at the University of Wyoming and at Tennessee Tech University. He graduated with a B.S. degree from Tennessee Tech in 1956.

After graduation, he completed the US Navy Officer Candidate School at Newport, RI, and was commissioned as a naval officer in 1957. Following PCO Minecraft School, he served as the Commanding Officer of USS YMP-1, a Motor Mine Planter based in Little Creek, Va. The YMP-1 was responsible for planting mines in the approaches to the Chesapeake Bay.

Don was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1960, and began a 36-year career in the insurance industry. He worked in the marketing department of the Royal Insurance Company in their Richmond and Roanoke offices until 1968. In 1968, he joined Charles Lunsford Sons and Izard, Inc. (later Charles Lunsford Sons and Associates), where he managed the Blacksburg office. Don was elected to the Board of Directors of Charles Lunsford in 1970, and became a Vice President in 1972. He retired from Lunsford in 1993 and served as a Senior Consultant until 1996.

In his free time, Don enjoyed gardening, landscaping, fishing, boating, playing golf and hosting fish fries. Don was a generous supporter of Tennessee Tech and of Virginia Tech Athletics. He served as a Director of the Virginia Tech Student Aid Foundation, a Member of the Advisory Board of the First National Bank of Christiansburg, a Director of the Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce and President of the Blacksburg Kiwanis Club.

Following retirement, Don spent 18 years in his beloved Reedville, Va. He thoroughly enjoyed life in this peaceful spot on the Chesapeake Bay. Don returned to Blacksburg in 2020. Don was an active and founding member of St. Francis (later St. Philip’s) Anglican Church in Blacksburg. He was also an active member of Wicomico Parish Church in Wicomico Church, Va.

A private burial service will be held for the immediate family. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Philip’s Anglican Church in Blacksburg.