Russell Leon Hayes, 84, of Jefferson City, MO, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2024.  He was born on January 9, 1940, the son of the late Charles & Catherine Hayes.   He was united in marriage on July 7, 1962, to Georgena Stratman at Visitation Catholic Church, Vienna, MO.

 Russ grew up in Hayden, MO. surrounded by all of his uncles & aunts.  His first cousins were his best friends. The Gasconade River was their playground.  There would be 100+ attend their yearly family reunions.  He attended Kenner grade school, Maries R1 High School in Vienna, MO. & School of Mines at Rolla, now Missouri University of S&T.

 Russ worked  for P.S.Thomas Engineering & Surveying for 8 years.  Went to work for Union Pacific Railroad in 1969 and retired in 2002 forming many friendships along the way.  Russ was a member of the prominent CMA coffee group, attending every morning when he was in town.  He was a member of the Eagles Club since 1985.

 The highlight of Russ’s life was his family.  He was fortunate to have his children & grandchildren in Jefferson City.  There was a lot of school and sports chatter around the table.   He liked to make cinnamon rolls using his mother’s recipe.   In his retirement he was able to attend his grandchildren’s events, be it basketball, football, cheerleading, the softball games alone for 3 of his granddaughters, grade 4-seniors in college was 28 yrs.  Most of all he was able to see all of them grow up to become responsible adults with a good work ethic.

 He liked to garden and had one acre in the Missouri River bottom, planting 100+ tomato plants and everything else you might want in a garden.   He loved his Troy Bilt Tiller (never walking behind the tiller but to the side so the ground would remain fluffy.

 Russ liked being around people.  Many times there would be 35-40 people at our house either for a fish fry, barbecue, fried chicken and after getting his big smoker, smoked everything.  When the smoker came out of the garage, neighbors would gather.

 He would plan deer hunting trips on several large farms with his friends and as the years went by, sons & grandsons would join them for the hunt.  He loved planning 4-wheeling get-togethers, float trips on the Gasconade River and trips to Branson several times a year.

 A few years before he retired he bought his first computer and he was hooked (self taught).  He had a website (Hayden Store.com).   He kept the whole family up to date on all of the happenings going on in their large family.  After they retired he and Mike Wiseman spent 2 years putting together the book “Trackin’ the Past Families of the Eagle”, a book containing pictures and information on approx. 560 railroaders around the State.  He spent those 2 years at his computer nonstop.   He loved it.  

 He is survived by Georgena, his wife of (62 years), one daughter, Tracey (Burke) Osborne and one son, Greg (Sherri) Hayes, grandchildren:   Lesley Osborne, Sarah Osborne (Bobby Bryant), Russell (Hayley) Osborne,  Cheznee (Jared) Lee, Marli (Kyle) Henke, Riley (Aaron) Vossen and great grandsons; Grady, Gunner, Gibson & Henry Lee, Macklin Osborne and great granddaughters;  Marren Henke, Ruthie & Joanna Vossen, & Berkley Bryant.

 He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Carolyn Hayes, Vienna, MO; brother, Dan (Jane) Hayes, Leasburg, FL; two sisters, Mary (Bob) Yates, Colleyville, Tx; Patricia Carroll, Lee's Summit, MO., 8 nieces & nephews and 8 great nieces and nephews.

 Also a big part of his life were his in-laws, the Stratman family:   brothers-in-law, Andrew, Butch (Marilyn), Henry (Linda), Leo (Kathy),  &   sisters-in law, Dorothy Lucey, Kathy (Roger) Steuber, Marian (Gary) Fleischmann, 17 nieces & nephews and 45 great nieces and nephews

 Those proceeding him in death were his parents and a brother, Bob and brother-in-law, Steve Carroll, brother-in-law & sister-in-law Rick & Louise Stratman, brother-in-law Michael Lucey, sister-in-law, Gerry Stratman, and 2 nephews Brian and Joshua Stratman.

 The visitation will be held on Saturday, March 9 from 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at. St. Peter Catholic Church, 216 Broadway, Jefferson City, MO with funeral services beginning at 11:00 a.m. officiated by the Rev. Msgr. Robert A. Kurwicki, VG.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter Catholic Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.

 Arrangements entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes - Jefferson City.    trimblefunerals.com