Hayes, Richard Brooks

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Hayes, Richard BrooksRichard Brooks Hayes, loving baseball dad, passed away the evening of August 6th, 2024 at the age of 43. Brooks was born February 19th, 1981 in Radford, Virginia to Pamela and Richard “Dickie” Hayes.

Brooks is survived by his wife Jenna, 2 amazing boys Jake and Beckett, his mother Pam Hayes, father Dickie Hayes, mother-in-law Marilyn Booth, father-in-law Doug Booth, sister-in-law Tawny Booth, niece Charlie Thacker, and cousin Philip, who was more like a brother. We know that Brooks is with his sister Alena Hayes, maternal grandparents Almeta and Ray Frazier, paternal grandparents Dorothy and Dick Hayes, uncle Rudell Frazier, and family dog Daisy.

Brooks received his undergraduate degree from New River Community College and his master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from East Tennessee State University. Upon graduating from ETSU, Jenna and Brooks decided to get married and move to Knoxville, TN in the same weekend to start his career. They enjoyed 8 years in Knoxville and welcomed both of their sons, Jake (11) and Beckett (8), there. While the Smoky Mountains were beautiful, Brooks wanted to raise his boys around family and friends and they moved to Blacksburg, VA. Brooks was an employee of BAE Systems at the Radford Arsenal.

“Brooksie” was an avid Hokies football fan and loved to watch and talk about everything baseball. Music was always a big part of his life and is what first connected him with Jenna. Brooks could spend hours just listening to tunes with his windows down driving through the mountains, grilling in the backyard, or just spending time with friends. Live music fueled his heart and he loved going to see live shows. Many who knew Brooks knew that he took a lot of pride in his appearance and was a sharp looking guy who wore khaki shorts and flip flops year round. While he enjoyed the hustle and bustle of life, he did love taking naps too and saying just “5 more minutes.” We might never understand his taste in bizarre and intense tv shows, but he was just as happy watching mind numbing children’s shows with the boys. He enjoyed the peace of fishing on Claytor Lake with his dad. At times, Brooks was both an introvert and extravert, and friends and family remember how when he would be still and stroke his beard, or flick his hand, he was deep in thought. Brooks had a kind and caring heart and was always there when people needed him. Even after moving to Knoxville, he would call daily to check on his mom. He was the family go to for all things IT. And although it pained him that Jenna still has a paper calendar, he was always willing to help everyone with their electronic dilemmas. Brooks was a brilliant engineer who could solve any challenge he faced. In the last years of his life, nothing brought him more joy than to play baseball with his boys.

A memorial service will be held for Brooks at the River of Life Church located at 5311 Black Hollow Rd., Dublin, VA. The family will receive friends Sunday August 18th at 2:00 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:00 p.m.

To sign Brooks’ online guestbook, visit www.bowerfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ronald McDonald House of Durham https://rmhctriangle.org/donate/ or the City of Refuge in Pulaski https://www.cityofrefugepc.org/donate

Bower Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements for the family.

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