John W. Hayes

John William Hayes, of Bismarck, passed away on January 9, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center. He was 79 years old. Remembrance of Life celebrations will take place in Bismarck, ND and DeBeque, CO at a later date. 

John was born on July 6th, 1945, in Collbran, CO at Plateau Valley Hospital, to Richard and Anna (Barreith) Hayes. He grew up in De Beque, CO. In his early years, he was a shadow to his Grandpa Hayes. He spent many summers of his childhood helping his dad with sheep camp on the mountain up Parachute Creek. Upon graduating from De Beque High School, John attended college at Colorado School of Mines. 

After college John took a job with Western Geophysical working on a seismograph crew. During this time, he traveled to many places, but it was checking out at Woolworths in Dickinson, North Dakota where he met his future wife. 

He and Gail Ulrich were married in March 1975. To this union they had one daughter, Stephanie. After a couple more years of travel, the family settled in Parker, CO. The family then moved to Craig, CO where John was employed at Tri-State Energy until he took early retirement and him and Gail moved to Bismarck. 

John was an avid sportsman. Any day fishing or hunting was a great day in his book. He looked forward to his yearly outdoor adventures with his college buddy Steve, and still made yearly trips down to Colorado to elk hunt with family and high school friends – Kenny and Pudge Cox. He also enjoyed fishing with several family members but especially with his two grandsons. 

One thing John loved was children. He was usually the person at a family function riling up the kids and causing commotion. He was a great dad, grandpa, and uncle. John always had a great story to tell as he spent his time on earth living life to the fullest.

He will be missed by his wife Gail; his daughter, Stephanie (David) Weiand, Grandsons Zachary, and Aidan. His siblings Fred Hayes (Ruth) and Effie Rucker; Sister-In-Law, Ann Hayes. His cousin Tom (Billie) Morrow. His father-in-law, James Ulrich; and his spouse’s siblings, Larry Ulrich (Darlene), Susan Richter, Clay (Rhonda) Ulrich, Dennis (Carlene) Ulrich; Brother-in-law, Bob Doll. Along with many nieces, nephews, other extended family and close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Anna, His siblings, Richard "Buryle" Hayes, Henry Hayes, Margaret (Kenneth) Landsdown and June (Mike) West, his mother-in-law, Leona Ulrich; brothers-in-law, George Rucker, Dave Richter and sister-in-law, Paulette Doll.