HAYHURST, Ralph

Arizona Silver Belt, Globe, AZ Wednesday, March 16, 2011 Ralph Hayhurst, of Payson, Ariz., went to be with the Lord on March 8, 2011. He was born in Vernon, Texas on Dec. 5, 1940. Ralph moved to Miami, Ariz. at the age of four. He was a graduate of Miami High School and held a degree in Engineering. He worked as a disc jockey before joining and serving his country in the Air Force for four years. He then went on to work for a mining company in Arizona and Peru, where he eventually retired in 1992. He was a member of the Tonto Rim Sports Club of Payson and a Life Time Member of the National Rifle Association. John is survived by his wife, Lois. He met and married his loving and devoted wife in September, 1997. They resided in the community of Deer Creek Village. Before John’s illness, they enjoyed motorcycle rides, long trips in their camper, their dogs and their great-grandchildren. John will be greatly missed and remembered as a man of honor who loved his country; loved his family and friends; and who was immensely generous to all. John is survived by three daughters, Mildred of Utah and Debbi and Delissa of Kentucky; two step-sons, Eugene Gibbs of Mesa, Ariz. and James Gibbs of Ohio; four grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and better known as “Papa John” he is also survived by six step-great-grandchildren. He was proceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Lois Hayhurst. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 19 at Messinger Funeral Home, 302 W. Aero Dr., in Payson, Ariz. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice Compassus, P.O. Box 305, Payson, AZ 85547