ROANOKE RAPIDS — George L. Hayes, 89, of Henrico, died Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009, at Halifax Regional Medical Center.

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George was born Aug. 12, 1920, in the old Roanoke Rapids Hospital. He was the son of George Hayes and Frances “Fannie” Hart Hayes. Mr. Hayes was married to Frieda Karsch on Aug. 30, 1944, on the island of Curaco, NWI. Children are G. Lewis Hayes and his wife, Betsy Bone Hayes, Robert F. Hayes and his wife, Martha Green Hayes, Frank K. Hayes and his wife, Katrina Kerr Hayes, and Rie H. Boone; and grandchildren are George Lewis Hayes V, Creighton Hayes, Robert (Rob) Hayes and his wife, Amanda, Erin Hayes, Hayes Boone, Heather Cox and Jeff Cotten and his wife, Marianna.

Graduating from Roanoke Rapids High School in 1938, he was president of the student body. He went on to graduate from UNC Chapel Hill in 1942, with a B.S. degree in Commerce. While at Chapel Hill, he was vice president of the University Club, president of the Interdormitory Council, member of the Holy Grail and the Golden Fleece. He was voted the permanent president of the Class of 1942 at Carolina. After college, he entered the U.S. Navy Reserves as an ensign. He became assistant routing and operations officer for Commander All Forces, Aruba and Curaco, called CAFAC, where he received a Letter of Commendation from Rear Admiral Ted Chandler. He received an honorable discharge as a Lieutenant, USNR, in 1945. He then served as secretary, treasurer, vice president and president of the Roanoke Rapids Kiwanis Club and as Lieutenant Governor for the sixth division of the Carolinas District of Kiwanis while appearing in many Kiwanis Minstrels. Mr. Hayes was appointed to the first recreation commission in Roanoke Rapids and served two terms on the Roanoke Rapids City Council. Serving 12 years on the Roanoke Rapids Board of Education, and he ended as chairman. He also served as chairman of the Halifax County Selection Committee for the Morehead Award program for more than 30 years. Mr. Hayes could be heard as the “Voice of the Yellow Jackets” for more than 20 years in the public address booth. He also served on the board of directors of the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina Inc. for six years and on the executive committee. He served on the board of the Lake Gaston Association. He was an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids and retired as branch manager of Interstate Securities/Johnson Lane (now Wells Fargo Advisors) in 1988. Mr. Hayes also served on the Board of Directors for Lakeland Cultural Arts Center.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. David Smith officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the services in the Loy Building of the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Children’s Home Society, P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro NC 27415.

Wrenn, Clarke & Hagan Funeral and Cremation Service in Roanoke Rapids is handling the arrangements.