CAPT Morris Lee Hayes, US Navy (ret), 89, of Pensacola, FL passed away Monday, August 24, 2020.

CAPT Hayes was born on August 31, 1930 in Birmingham, AL to Ralph Morris and Tommie Lee (Justice) Hayes. At the age of 12 the family moved to the Sebring and Lakeland, FL area. In 1947, he graduated from Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA before attending and graduating from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1952. Upon graduation from Auburn University in March 15, 1952 he was commissioned as an Ensign, and married June Hankins the next day.  The marriage produced four children; Hank, Holly, Christopher and Cindy. He continued his education at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Troy, NY and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from University of West Florida in 1982. CAPT Hayes served one year as a Deck Officer on the Destroyer USS John R. Craig deployed to the Korean War. After receiving his wings he served as a Fighter Pilot from 1954-1963 and was deployed aboard multiple air craft carriers including the USS Philippine Sea, USS Hancock, USS Franklin D. Roosevelt, USS Enterprise and the USS Shangri LA. He served as a Commanding Officer Photo/Reconnaissance Squadron VFP-62 ship's Navigator aboard the USS Ticonderoga deployed to Vietnam War. Commanding Officer US Naval Photo Center, Washington DC, and retired as a Captain after 30 years of service. After his military career, CAPT Hayes worked as a Commercial Banker for 14 years and 8 years as Chief Financial Officer for the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.

He is preceded in death by his wife, June Hankins Hayes.

Survivors include his children, Morris Hank Hayes; Holly Hayes Lucas, Christopher Hayes and Cindy Hayes.

A Private Family Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery.