Obituary of Gerald Hayden

Gerald Leon Hayden, age 92 years of the Brentwood of Niles in Niles, Michigan made his transition on Friday, October 6, 2017, following a long illness. Gerald was born June 4, 1925, in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Rev. Gerald Leon and Emma Kelly Hayden. When Gerald was three years old, the family moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee where his father was called into the ministry. The family moved several times to address his father's pastoral responsibilities. In 1930, Gerald began grammar school in Jackson, Michigan and continued his early education in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 1938, Gerald entered high school in St. Paul, Minnesota however, he graduated in 1943, from Central High School in South Bend, Indiana. At Central, he participated in many of the School's clubs and activities, such as singing in the Glee Club, playing basketball and running track. In 1943, Gerald began college at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Shortly thereafter, in 1943, he was drafted into the Army. While in the Army, he was in the Corp. of Engineers where he attained the rank of Corporal. During that time, he married Mary Tucker and the couple had two children, Micheal and Sandra. In 1946, he was discharged from the Army and continued college by entering Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1948, Gerald's attendance at Temple was interrupted. Gerald enlisted in the Air Force and actively served for 23 years. In the Air Force, he held numerous positions. For example, he was in administration, athletics and recreation, recruiting, served in the Civil Community, and in the Office of Special Services. Gerald was a pioneer of being the first African American to hold many positions in the Armed Services. To cite two instances, he was the first African American recruiter to be assigned in the New England area and to be assigned to National Television serving in the United States and Canada. In 1967, Gerald retired from the Air Force, and on the same day of his retirement, he enlisted in the Retiree Reserve to prevent a break in service. In 1968, Gerald moved his wife, Zettawee, and family to Flint, Michigan where he became a Manager of a Mom and Pop Store. From 1984 through 1990, Gerald was appointed the Director of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church facility and ministries at Camp Baber in Cassopolis, Michigan. In 1989, Gerald married Maxine Harris and moved to Richmond, Virginia until her untimely death. In 1996, Gerald married Kathryn Tatum and moved to Dunbar, Virginia, later moving to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and finally, Niles, Michigan where she later passed. While in Niles, Michigan, Gerald was a member of the Thursday's Toastmaster. Gerald confessed Jesus Christ as his Savior as a young child and maintained a long rich history with numerous church families. While in the military, Gerald was active in the Base Chapels. As a Store Manager in Flint, he was a member of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Flint, Michigan where he sang in the Choir and was the President of the Lay Organization. While at Camp Baber, he was a member of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Cassopolis, Michigan. While in Richmond, Virginia, he was a member of the 3rd Street Bethel AME Church where sang in the Choir and was a member of the Lay Organization. While in Dunbar, Virginia, he was a member of Humphrey Memorial United Methodist Episcopal Church where he was the Director of the Adult Choir. While in Philadelphia, he was a member of St. Mathews AME Church. At the time of his death, his membership was at Connor-Mayo AME Church in Dowagiac, Michigan. Gerald was preceded in death by both his parents; two sisters, Jewell Milton and Doris East; two brothers, Thomas and John Hayden; his youngest daughter, Sharon Hayden; and former wives, Mary, Zettawee, Maxine, and Katherine. Gerald is survived by his current long-time companion and fiancee, Geola Lewis of Buchanan, Michigan; sister, Patricia Harding of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; children, Micheal, Sandra, Suzette, Lisa and Monique; a step-daughter, Margaret Lombard (by Katherine) of New Orleans, Louisiana; God-daughter, Sidney Jackson of Flint, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Natalie Gianetti (married to Micheal) of Spring Arbor, Michigan; five grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; gorgeous nieces, handsome nephews, host of friends, and numerous church family members. On Thursday, November 2, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. Gerald will be laid to rest at Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan with full military honors; friends and family are welcome to attend. A memorial service to celebrate Gerald's life will be held at Connor-Mayo AME in Dowagiac this fall.