Obituary of Thomas Matthew Hays

Thomas Matthew Hays June 8, 1954 ~ September 14, 2013 Tom Hays, 59, of Washougal, WA died September 14, 2013. Tom was raised in Olympia, WA. Graduating from Olympia High School in 1972, where he was a star football player. He went on to play football for Linfield College, graduating in 1977. Tom taught and coached for the Washougal School District for 33 years, touching the lives of thousands of children. He organized, directed, and developed all curriculums for Excelsior High School for 15 years. His greatest passion was teaching history to middle school students. Tom was a member of the Washougal Lions Club for many years, serving two terms as president. He was also a member of Orchard Hills Golf Club where he developed a "love for the game." Tom's greatest pleasure in life was his family. His wife Peggy and children Chelsea and Matt will miss him dearly. Together they loved to watch football, play golf, go to the movies, to the beach, or just spend time together for Sunday night dinners. Tom suffered from complication s of Type 1 Diabetes for many years, and gave a valiant fight to the very end. Throughout much pain and suffering Tom never quite, never gave up, and never complained. He was an inspiration to us all. There will be a community memorial service on Thursday, September 19th at 4:00 pm at Washougal High School: 1201 39th Street, Washougal, WA 98671. A memorial service will be held on September 21st at 11:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church: 824 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. A celebration of Tom's life will follow at Orchard Hills Golf and Country Club: 605 39th Street, Washougal, WA 98671. Donations in Tom's memory may be sent to the Washougal Lions Club Foundation @ PO Box 917 Washougal, WA 98671. Straub's Funeral Home and Columbia River Cremation in Camas has been entrusted with arrangements. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, please visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.