Richard B. Hayes, a former chairman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners, died Tuesday night, The Rant has learned.
Hayes, a Democrat, served as the board’s chairman from his first election in 2008 until 2010, when a wave election swept Republicans into power and he was replaced as chair by Linda Shook. Shook died in May of 2019. Hayes did not seek re-election to the seat in 2012.
His two years leading the board were consequential, however, as he was involved in placing a referendum on the 2009 ballot which led to a quarter cent sales tax with proceeds funding long-needed renovations at Lee County High School. The same effort had failed the previous year. Hayes had also previously served on the Lee County Board of Education.
On a personal level, Hayes was known to love model trains, and donated his personal collection for auction to benefit Central Carolina Community College in 2016.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Richard Hayes was smart rational man with a wonderful sense of humor. He is irreplaceable and I will miss him every day. My sympathies to his wonderful wife.