Seymore T. Hays' Obituary
Commander S. T. Hays, USN (Ret.), age 92, of Ocean Pines, MD died on Flag Day, Sunday, June 14, 2015. He was born May 26, 1923, son of the late Seymore T. and Mable (Thomason) Hays and reared in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas.
He received a congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in June 1946 as a member of the 23rd Company in the class of 1947.
After graduation, S. T. served 23 years active duty. At sea he served on four DDs (Frank Knox, John R. Pierce, Dealey, and Witek); two CAs, (Newport News and Boston); and an LSD, (Tortuga). Ashore, S. T. was assigned to the US NPGS (Ordnance Engineering), ONR London (Surface Warfare Officer), and the Special Projects Office (SPO, Polaris and Poseidon) as the launcher sub-system program manager (SP 22).
In August 1956, S. T. reported to the Dealey as XO in Newport, RI. It was here that he met Lt. Ellen Crecelous, (NC) USNR. They were married on August 30, 1957 after a whirlwind courtship.
S. T. retired from the Navy in January 1969 in Washington, D.C. On 2 February, he reported to Computer Command and Control Company as the manager of a computer-microfiche database. This was followed by two years at Scientific Management Associates working on various NAVSEC efforts.
In 1974, S. T. joined Unified Industries Incorporated (UII), which had support contracts with NAVSEC, DFSA, and FAA. S. T. as a Senior Systems Engineer performed various tasks under these contracts until 1977 when he was assigned to manage UII’s efforts to support the NAVSEA’s Shop Maintenance Improvement and On-Board Maintenance Training Programs. This effort grew over the years from 10 to 150 people. S. T. continued at UII until he retired as a Divisional Vice President in 1989. After retirement, S. T. and Ellen moved to Ocean Pines, MD.
S. T. was a Registered Professional Engineer (PE) and a member of the National and Maryland Societies of Professional Engineers, and the Washington Society of Engineers. He was a life member of the NAAA, MOAA, and DAV, and a member of Kiwanis. He was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church and served as a Ruling Elder at both the Camp Springs and Ocean City, MD Churches.
In addition to his parents, S. T. was predeceased in death by his brother, Col. William L. Hays, USA. S.T. is survived by his wife, Ellen, of 57 years; four children, Seymore T. III and his wife Rebecca, Steven K. and his wife Claudia, Julie Hays Beebe and her husband David Randall, and Jeffrey S. and his wife Laurie; and ten grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at The First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 1201 Philadelphia Avenue on Friday, June 19 at 11 AM. S.T. will be entombed at the Naval Academy Columbarium with full military honors at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean City, 1301 Philadelphia Avenue, Ocean City, MD 21842.
Please sign S. T.'s online guestbook at this site.
PDF Printable Version
What’s your fondest memory of Seymore?
What’s a lesson you learned from Seymore?
Share a story where Seymore's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Seymore you’ll never forget.
How did Seymore make you smile?