Christen Charles Hayes

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of our dear husband, father, son, brother and papa Christen Charles Hayes on October 20, 2017 at the age of 58. Chris was born January 9, 1959 in San Jose, CA and moved to Sierra City, CA at the age of 14. He graduated as Valedictorian from Downieville High School in 1977 and from California State University, Chico in 1982, with degrees in psychology and history, and a teaching credential. After college, Chris went into the construction business with his dad, Carroll and his brother, Kim, eventually creating Hayes Developments, Inc. Together, they went on to develop and build many subdivisions and beautiful custom homes throughout the Central Valley.

Chris is greatly loved, and will be fondly remembered by his family and friends as tenacious and courageous in his longstanding, 30+ year battle with a rare cancer, Neuroendocrine cancer (NET’s). Throughout that battle, he continued to live a happy and fulfilling life. He was a positive role model to all who had the privilege of knowing him, especially those others who were afflicted with the same cancer. He was a trailblazer, a leader and a shining example of living life to its fullest, even in the face of adversity. Chris will never be forgotten.

Chris was a passionate man who devoted himself to his beloved wife, Geneva, and his family. He was an avid traveler, visiting many places throughout the United States, as well as 21 different countries. Of them all, his favorite spot to travel was Hawaii. However, the place he loved the most was Sierra City and the mountains, where he spent countless days making lasting memories with friends and family at his cabin.

Chris was an accomplished pilot, and loved to log hours in the company plane. His apassion for his Corvette was matched only by the love he held for his beloved lab companion, Sarge. Proud of his family heritage, Chris was a part of the Rutherford B. Hayes family tree, and was a great grandson of Everis Anson Hayes, U.S. Representative in Washington, D.C. from 1905-1919.

Chris is survived by the love of his life, his cherished wife of 15 years, Geneva; mother Verlene Hayes and father Carroll (Renetta) Hayes; sons Steven (Shannon) and Nicholas, and daughters Alexandra (John) Carter, Samantha and Tiffany; siblings Kim (Cynthia), Juli (Rob) Kaplan, Terrie (Monica Fay) Booten, Guy (Mary Jo) Booten, Lynn (Mike) Camper; grandchildren Mason, Madison, Maci, Mitchell, and Maryn Carter, and Wyatt and Robert Christen Hayes; nephews Tyler Hayes and Ryan Kaplan and nieces Lindsey Hayes and Christie Kaplan; mother- and father-in-law Linda and Paul Frank, sister-in-law Andrea (Joe) Maldonado, and sister-in-law Johnna Hill, as well as extended family. The family would like to thank William and Terry Coburn for their special care and help they provided to Chris and Geneva.

Celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 27 at 1 pm at the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, 517 Orange Ave., Ripon. Per Chris’s request, colorful "island-wear" is dress of choice.

In celebration of Chris’ life, donations may be made to NorCalCarciNET (NCCN), 946 N. Ripon Rd., Ripon, CA 95366 or norcalcarcinet.org. For condolences to his family, please visit his online guestbook at www.deeganfuneralchapels.com

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