Darwin Lyle Hayes

Darwin Lyle Hayes, age 93, of Springville, Utah, passed away at his home on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. He was born August 2, 1930, in Georgetown, Idaho, to Lyle Hayes and Mildred Aletha Egli. He married Loris Elaine Johnson on June 1, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple.
 
Darwin was the oldest of 7 children. He often said that Georgetown was a wonderful place to grow up. He had the freedom to roam and explore. He was able to step out his front door and fish in a stream. He was happy and busy as a child. At a young age he learned how to work by herding cows. At the age of 13 he went to live with and work for Don and Mable Rex on their dairy farm. He graduated from Georgetown High School in 1948. He then attended Utah State University in Logan, Utah, for the next 2 years.
 
In September 1950, Darwin began serving a 2 ½ year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the West German Mission. He developed a great love for his Savior and the people of Germany. In April 1953, after completing his mission, he spent a month touring Germany and Switzerland on a motorcycle that he borrowed from a church member before he returned home.
 
Darwin served 2 years in the military as a chaplain's assistant. Basic training was at Fort Ord, California. He also spent time at Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah and in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While in New Mexico towards the end of his service, he met Loris Elaine Johnson, who would become his eternal companion.
 
In the fall of 1955 both Darwin and Loris attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. They were married for time and all eternity June 1, 1956, in the Salt Lake Temple.
 
Darwin graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in the spring of 1957. The next three years were spent in Montpelier, Idaho, teaching English at Montpelier High School.

During the summer of 1961, Darwin was invited to return to BYU to get his Master of Arts degree and teach English. The young family spent a short time living in Y-View Village, the married-student housing located where the Marriott Center now stands. In November 1962 the family moved to Springville, Utah.
 
Darwin was an English professor at BYU for 35 years. During his career, he participated in two sabbaticals and one teaching exchange. The first sabbatical was in Greensboro, North Carolina. The second was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 1969 to 1970. The teaching exchange was in Laie, Hawaii, from 1979 to 1980.

Primarily, Darwin supervised student teachers, but he enjoyed other adventures, too. He started the TICCIT project, a computer-assisted system used in teaching English as a Second Language. He was the first supervisor of the Writing Lab. Near the end of his career he was the Associate Dean of the Graduate School before returning briefly to teaching. Darwin retired in 1995. He was an influence for good in the lives of those he taught.
 
Darwin loved to fish and camp and spend time outdoors. He loved to read and was an accomplished writer. He was well known for his amazing garden and beautiful yard. He had a great desire to know who his ancestors were, where they came from, who their children were, and what their lives were like. He spent many hours researching his family history. He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many ways, including missionary, teacher, branch president, bishopric counselor, high councilor, and temple worker. He was always ready and willing to serve where needed.
 
Darwin is survived by his sweetheart, Loris, and their six children: Rob (Connie) Hayes, Karl (Lynnette) Hayes, Terri (Scott) Zufelt, David (Marianne) Hayes, Tom Hayes, and Jennifer Hayes; his siblings Weston (Barbara) Hayes, Allen (Gayle) Hayes, and Renee (Frank) Wallentine; and his sisters-in-law Barbara Hayes and Delone Hayes. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Ann Ipsen, Larry Hayes, and Roger Hayes; and his brother-in-law Gordon Ipsen. He has an amazing posterity of 33 grandchildren, 54 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

A viewing for friends and family will be held Thursday, March 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Wheeler Mortuary, 211 East 200 South in Springville. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22, at the church at 355 East Center Street in Springville, with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 before the services. Burial will be in the Springville Evergreen Cemetery with military rites. Instead of flowers, please donate to a charity of your choice.

The family thanks the wonderful people of Maple Creek Home Health and Hospice for their compassion and caring during the last months of Darwin’s life. They truly eased his way.

Condolences for the family may be expressed on this page.