Tireless Advocate, Beloved Friend

Mourning the Loss of Jim Hayes

Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting Jim Hayes was in for something special. His enthusiasm andpositive outlook—despite being confined to a wheelchair for years and battling cancer—were truly inspiring. Family, friends, and the entire state of Alabama suffered a great loss when he passed away on June 6, 2008, but his influence will be felt across the state for years to come.

Born to the late Betty and James Patrick Hayes in Brewton, Alabama, James P. (Jim) Hayes Jr. grew up there with his sisters, Susan Hayes Curry and twins Margaret Hayes Brunstad and the late Mary Hayes Campbell. Hayes was greatly loved and admired for his selfless and boundless community advocacy, his intelligence as a business leader, and his loyalty as a beloved friend, family man, and husband to his wife, Ann Beauchamp Hayes.

Throughout his career, Hayes remained devoted to bettering his home state, even holding several governmental positions including senior advisor to Governor Don Siegelman, director of the Alabama Development Office, revenue commissioner, and land commissioner. As president of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, he worked tirelessly to improve the lives of Alabama citizens. He also served as director of planning and acquisitions for the Louisiana Land and Exploration Company and as director of First Commercial Bank in Birmingham and BancTrust Financial in Mobile. Hayes was a member and past president of the Supporters Board of the UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center and also supported the Lakeshore Foundation, the Crippled Children’s Foundation, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society, and numerous other charitable organizations. He led the capital campaign for the University of Alabama and also served on UAB’s most recent capital campaign committee.

Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Ed Partridge, M.D., notes that Hayes meant a lot to the physicians and staff at the center. “Jim Hayes had a profound influence on the cancer center, not only as a very generous benefactor and loyal supporter, but also as a patient who always demonstrated love and deep appreciation for those who cared for him. Needless to say, he was loved and appreciated in return.

”In 2007, Hayes received the Outstanding Civic Leader Award from the Alabama Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals on National Philanthropy Day. In 2004 he received an honorary doctorate from the University of Alabama and was named a distinguished engineering fellow. He is a recipient of the dean’s medal from the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences and was recently honored when the James P. Hayes Moral Forum was endowed in his name there.“

Jim was a great friend to UAB, the state of Alabama, and all who knew him,” says Shirley Salloway Kahn, Ph.D., vice president for development, alumni, and external relations. “He lived his life as an example of philanthropy and community advocacy. He will be missed by the countless people whose lives he touched.”