Johnnie L. Hayes Sr.

Life’s Reflection

Johnnie L. Hayes Sr., 68, passed away on December 21, 2019 at his home in Kansas City, Kansas.  He was born on February 21,1951 in Jefferson, Arkansas to Milton Hayes and Armelia Sanders Hayes.

Johnnie grew up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.  He graduated from Merrill High School in Pine Bluff in 1970.  After high school, he received a football scholarship to play as a running back for the Jackson State Tigers in Mississippi.  After college, Johnnie moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began working at BMW/Volkswagen with his brother, William Warren.  In 1977, Johnnie went to work at General Motors in Fairfax.

In 1979, Johnnie married Thelma Johnson and together they had their only son, Johnnie Hayes, Jr.  Johnnie was a devoted father to his son and was known to everyone as the dad, standing off in the distance watching his son enjoy his love of sports.  Johnnie (PK) was a role model to not only his son, but his nephews, also to his son’s friends (who he also called his nephews). Johnnie was dedicated to the Martial Arts discipline of Bushidokan, winning The Diamond National Karate Tournament as a Brown Belt and he was one of the first African Americans to obtain a Black Belt Within the discipline.  He owned two dogs (Sexy and Ray Jay) that he loved dearly.  A dedicated member of the Group 13 Motorcycle Club in Kansas City, Kansas and a proud member of UAW Local 31.  After 43 committed years of service, this hard-working weld monitor retired on December 1, 2019.

Johnnie was preceded in death by his parents, Milton Hayes and Armelia Sanders Hayes; and his brother, William Warren.

Johnnie is survived by his son, Johnnie Hayes, Jr. of Dallas, Texas; his daughter, Erica Hayes of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his twin sisters, Carolyn Davis of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Catherine Kelley of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; his grandchildren; his nieces, Evelyn Wimbley, Pamela Meeks and Erica Parker; his nephews, Lee Dickinson, Eric Dickinson and Dontae Meeks; and other relatives.

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