CORTEZ RICHARD HAYES SR.

Obituary Cortez Richard Hayes, Sr. affectionately known to his family and friends as "Papa Tez" was born on a beautiful autumn day during a time known as the "Silent Generation". On this special Wednesday, November 4, 1942 Spulghon Thomas Hayes, Sr. and Margaret Iona Carlock-Hayes became proud parents of their beloved third child and second son. Cortez was educated in the Kansas City, Missouri school system (Bruce Elementary, R.T Coles & Central High Schools). During his adolescent years he had aspirations of becoming a singer, musician and professional boxer. In 1958 on Cortez's freshman day at Central Jr. his base voice came out on stage with his Doo Wop group called "The Passions" which later became known as "The Persians". Cortez was an enterprising young man who inherited his keen business skills and entrepreneurial spirit from his father, who was also a successful business owner. Cortez had numerous business endeavors which included a paper route when he was just 10 years old, livestock owner, he started Allstate Janitorial Service and became an antique dealer, contractor and he bought and sold numerous properties. In 1988 Cortez relocated from Kansas City, Missouri to Los Angeles, California where he lived until he made his transition on March 19, 2020 to his eternal home. As soon as Cortez arrived in sunny Southern California he began developing ACE Window Cleaning Service. Over the course of the thirty year development of ACE Window Cleaning Service Cortez along with his staff had the opportunity to meet and work for numerous celebrities and Fortune 500 companies. Cortez was full of humor, he knew how to keep folks laughing with his story-telling and one-line comedic expressions. He enjoyed being a prankster and spending time with his mother telling jokes and laughing about "old times"! Cortez attended Ever Increasing Faith Ministries in Los Angeles, California and enjoyed singing in the church's choir. His hobbies included exercising, walking, riding his bike, joking, watching "60 Minutes" every Sunday evening, reading books and articles on social justice and playing the drums. Cortez was adventurous. He lived a busy life and he enjoyed living in sunny Southern California along with learning new things and traveling. Papa Tez's lasting legacy is his faith in God, his strong work ethic, sense of humor along with his commitment and devotion to his family and friends. Those who will always cherish and have lasting memories of Cortez Richard (Papa Tez) are his children: Toi Lynn Hayes-Allen of Springfield, Missouri, Christi Hernanda Hayes-Grauel and her husband David Grauel of Leawood, Kansas, Hernandez Lee Hayes and spouse Myrrie Hayes of Avondale, Arizona and Brianna Camille Hayes, residing in Los Angeles, California. His siblings, Esther Roberta Hayes-Johns of Denver, Colorado, Spulghon Thomas Hayes, Jr. of El Paso, Texas, Saundra Ann Hayes of Kansas City, Missouri, Jacquelyn Marie Hayes-Cooper residing in Kansas City, Missouri, Vincent Edward and spouse Sherri Eileen Hayes of Austin, Texas and Tonya Devette Hayes residing in Kansas City, Missouri. His grandchildren Christian Allen, Chancellor Allen, Chiris Allen, all live in Springfield, Missouri, Cedric Hurtt II, Eric Hurtt, Tachai Hayes, Cortez Richard Hayes III, Toi Webb, Davontae Webb and Orlando Webb all reside in Kansas City, Missouri. Kenny, Demonte, Myrice, Marliece, Tamia, Mateo and Mahira Hayes all reside in Avondale, Arizona and a host of great-grandchildren. In addition to Papa Tez's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren he leaves sister-in-law Helen S. Knowling of Kansas City, Missouri, one aunt Helen Hayes residing in Kansas City, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews along with great nieces and nephews, cousins in addition to other extended family members and friends. The immediate family members that completed their earthly journey and were gathered to our Lord prior to Cortez's transition are his beloved Mother and Father, Margaret Iona Carlock-Hayes & Spulghon Thomas Hayes, Sr., his beloved son Cortez Richard Hayes, Jr., his beloved two sisters, Josephine Brenda Hayes and Marilyn Rose Hayes along with his brothers Leroy Walter Knowling, Sr., Hernandez Lee Hayes and Ricky Ricardo Hayes (Infant). To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of CORTEZ RICHARD HAYES SR., please visit our floral store. Read More

CORTEZ RICHARD HAYES SR.

November 4, 1942 - March 19, 2020