George Hayes
Portrait of George Hayes
Memorial by his friend Sam Sanchez
George was a quiet guy who loved music, I know because we would always exchange CDs. He was a huge man who would give you the shirt off his back if you asked him for it. He treated me kindly… when I was broke and hungry he was one of the people I knew I could go to for a soup.
He would ask nothing in return. When I spoke to him he would always listen intently, always made me feel comfortable. Our race difference was never a barrier. (He was native) I am Hispanic.
When he first moved into our pod he offered the entire pod a cup of coffee — that's what kind of person he was.
The day he was taken on a stretcher from our pod his absence left a huge void… He was a good man and I pray he is in a better place.
From Mourning Our Losses:
George Hayes III left this world on June 4th, after spending a month at Mountain Vista Medical Center for COVID-19 complications. Born on September 18th, 1977 in Yuma, Arizona, George was only 42 years old when he died. He contracted the virus while incarcerated in Florence State Prison in Arizona. He is survived by his seven brothers and sisters.
George loved music. Some of his favorite genres to listen to were reggae, country, and hard rock. As a member of the Cocopah Tribe in Arizona, George was also a Traditional Bird Singer and performed at special ceremonies. While he was incarcerated, George bonded with friends over his love for music and exchanged CDs with them.
Sam Sanchez, one of George’s friends in prison, called him a “kind and generous soul.” George shared soup and coffee with his friends inside. He even obtained a Culinary Arts certification through an online program.
George maintained close relationships with his family while he was incarcerated. He called his mother every Sunday. In 2015, his sister Vanessa wrote him a birthday shoutout in the Cocopah Times Newsletter. “Wishing my brother George Hayes III a very Happy Birthday,” she wrote. “Sending a great big hug with prayers & blessings on your special day. Love, laughter and joy to you always. Missing you and thinking of you, your big sis Vanessa, Reynaldo, Ash, Chris, Tonia, Talon & Mcteveus.”
“R.I.P. brother i love you…” Justina, one of George’s other sisters, commented on his obituary page.
We mourn the loss of George, who was taken from us far too soon. “His people here in prison loved and respected him,” Sam wrote to us. “May your voice rise in volume and be heard in every corner of the world.”
This part of the memorial was written by MOL team member Andrew Kornfeld based on George’s obituary published in the Yuma Sun (and posted on Legacy.com), the September 2015 Cocopah Times Newsletter, and correspondence with Sam Sanchez.
Original artwork by MOL team member EJ Joyner.
