Charles Arthur Hays

Charles (Charlie) was born in Minneapolis, MN. He had a younger sister and brother. Charles was married to Yvonne N. Edwards in 1957 and they have two daughters, Lisa Farmer (Danny L. Farmer and Leslie B. Hayes. The Hays have one grandchild, Margaret (Maggie) Macgregor. In addition to his immediate family, he had many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews that he was close to. In 1954, he graduated from Hopkins High School and then attended the University of Minnesota where he was a member of Theta Chi fraternity. From the time he was 15 years old, Charles was active in the family parking business started by his grandfather in downtown Minneapolis. Through the years, Charles did everything from parking cars to becoming a part owner of the business. Charles loved the outdoors. Whether it was hunting at Lake of the Woods and Saskatchewan or fishing in the ocean off Marathon, FL, he had many fond memories. He also developed lifelong friendships with the buddies he did these things with. The Hays reside in South Georgia in the winter and Minnesota in the summer. Charles loved the south and often quoted the saying “I’m not from the South, but I got here as fast as I could.” The passion of his life, however, was Retriever Field Trials. For over 50 years, Yvonne and Charles raised and trained Labrador Retrievers. Together, they owned 20+ titled field trial dogs. Charles is a member of the Retriever Field Trial Hall of Fame in Grand Junction, TN, as are three of his dogs, Mouse, Toby and Marty. He was past president of the National Amateur Retriever Club. He won the National Open with Toby in 1988. His dog Marty won the Canadian National Open handled by a professional trainer in 1989. In 1990, Charles handled Marty to the Canadian National Amateur Championship. Marty is still the high point yellow in retriever field trials. Charles judged the National Open in 1985. Charles’ bubbling personality will be missed by all his friends and he will be deeply missed by his family who loved him. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Canine Health Foundation or the Retriever Hall of Fame.