Kenneth James Hayes, 87, of Meridian passed away January 28, 2018 from complications following open heart surgery. "Ken" was born August 6, 1930 in Augusta, Maine, to James Kenneth and Arlene Smith Hayes. He grew up in Hallowell, Maine and graduated from Hallowell High where he played football and was always an avid learner. He was known to be a fast runner. He had many hobbies...all of which were adventurous. When he was young he worked at the Hayes Bakery with his grandfather. Ken met Margery Rae Hamilton when she attended a party put on by his sister Polly. Margery said that he was so kind to walk her home in the cold, crunching snow. Ken played football and Margery was a cheerleader. Ken won Margery's heart and they were married October 27, 1951. They are the parents of six sons and two daughters. Kenneth served his country honorably in the Marine Corp, Army and the National Guard and was a member of the VFW. He was a stenographer and typing instructor in the National Guard. It was said of Ken that he was very "Techy". Even at the age of 87 he could text, send memes and keep others informed on Facebook. He was definitely one of a kind! He was an accountant at an engineering company and provided well for his family. Throughout his time in the armed services and his work the family lived in several locations which included Maine, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Cherry Port, North Carolina, Anchorage, Alaska and Calcutta, Canada, and Ohio. Ken and his little family joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the 60's and he and his wife, understanding and desiring an eternal family, loaded up their children (six, at the time) and drove from Franklin, Massachusetts to Logan, Utah where they were sealed together for time and all eternity in the Logan LDS Temple. (It was said that many great stories can be shared about that trip!!!) He and his wife served a two year church service mission in Canada, serving on three Indian Reservations. While in Liverpool, Ohio he served as a Branch President. He also loved serving in the Boise LDS Temple. It was said of Ken that he was kind, thoughtful, non-judgmental and always saw the positive. He always had a joke or a poem to share. He loved traveling and visiting friends and family, and they will so miss having those visits from this kind soul. Ken is survived by his dear wife Margery; his children: Russell K (Carmen) Hayes, James E. (Pamela) Hayes, Cynthia R. (Roger) Leveque, Lawrence T. (Ginny-Ann) Hayes, Jennifer M. Knight, Byron S. (Mirah) Hayes, Andrew H. (Heather) Hayes, and Christopher R. (Shannon) Hayes; 30 grandchildren and 32+ great-grandchildren; and one sister Marth Pollard. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Polly Laflin; and twin grandchildren Kenny and Hamilton. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 10, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 12040 W. Amity Road in Boise. A viewing will be held at the church from 9:00 to 10:45 a.m. prior to the services. Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 12 at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Road in Boise.
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