Anthony "Tony" John Hayes North Wilkesboro, North Carolina Obituary

Anthony "Tony" John Hayes

Anthony “Tony” John Hayes, age 65, of Boone, NC went to be with the Lord, whom he loved, on July 2nd of the year 2020. Tony was born in Wilkes County to John Hayes and Ena Murrell Hayes. He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Sandra Miller Hayes of Boone, son, Christopher Noel Hayes of Summerville SC, son, Joshua Anthony Hayes of Boone, and daughter, Cassandra Hayes Vincent and husband, Matthew of Boone. Tony enjoyed his five grandchildren: Jordon Hayes, Dylan Hayes, Adeline Hayes, Dean Vincent, and Millicent Hayes. He was looking forward to welcoming his 6th grandchild Nash Vincent. Also surviving is brother, Richard Hayes of the Brushy Mtn community, stepmother, Ila Dean Hayes and step siblings, Sandy Sheppard, Daniel Vickers and wife, Kristy, Missy Mayberry, and husband, Sam, Robert Vickers all of N. Wilkesboro, and brother in law, Eric Brown of Columbia SC. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Tina Hayes of the home and Heather Brown of Columbia S.C., as well as a stepbrother, Christopher Church of N. Wilkesboro. Tony’s chosen career path was one of nature, working in the medicinal herbal field including roots, barks, and leaves. He started out as a teenager working for Arthur Lowe Fur & Herb company of N. Wilkesboro. In 1981 he went to work for Wilcox Natural Products in Boone. In 2000 he started his own company & became President of Ridge Runner Trading Co of Boone. He has been a successful and well-respected member of the medicinal herbal products industry. Recently he was honored to be interviewed by the Smithsonian Institute (Center for Folklife & Cultural Heritage) in Washington D.C. to record his knowledge and extensive experience of ginseng for future generations. Tony had many passions & hobbies throughout his life. Some of his favorite hobbies include boating & fishing, which he indulged regularly. He had a great love of the outdoors, mountains, forests & waterways. He loved geography and was often introduced as a “walking talking map of Southern Appalachia.” Gardening, landscaping, wild crafting were among his passions. Tony was an expert cook & grill master. He loved music, particularly the drums which he played with gusto. He was a devoted and beloved member of the 12 step recovery community, of which he enjoyed being of service to others. He loved and was loved by his Lord, family, friends & his community. He will be greatly missed. A memorial service to honor Tony and celebrate his life will be held sometime in the upcoming months. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Daniel Boone Native Botanical Gardens. Address is as follows; P.O. Box 1705, Boone, NC, 28607.
February 2, 1955 - July 2, 202002/02/195507/02/2020
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Anthony "Tony" John Hayes
Anthony "Tony" John Hayes

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Tribute Store
July 21, 2020
We thank you Tony for all you have brought to our lives and our businesses. You will never be forgotten. Much love and prayers to the Hayes clan.
10 trees were planted in memory of
Anthony "Tony" John Hayes
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Eddie Fletcher
July 23, 2020
Tony loved the woodlands and the botanicals that grow there, especially ginseng. So this tree will add to the forest environment for the plants.

1 memorial tree was planted in memory of Anthony "Tony" John Hayes.

Edward Fletcher
July 23, 2020
Tony hired me to work at Wilcox Natural Products. It was a pleasure to work with him everyday there and all these many years since then. Attached is a picture of us back then. We immediately bonded because we both love botanicals and the relationship grew from there, e... Continue Reading
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Rosemary Kaveh
July 13, 2020
My dear Sandy, I am heartbroken to hear of Tony’s death. I am praying for comfort and peace for you and your family. Every time I see a rainbow, I think of Tony. He called me Rainbow girl !! Maybe you remember that. God bless you and hold on to the beautiful memories of ... Continue Reading
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From the Hayes in Missouri
July 9, 2020
We are sorry for your loss. He was a great man.

1 memorial tree was planted in memory of Anthony "Tony" John Hayes.

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Lindsay Monsivaiz
July 8, 2020
A wonderfully wise man with a one of a kind sense of humor. Blessed to have had the privilege of working with Tony over the years and be endowed with his passion and knowledge for the botanical realm, which had become a part of my every day. There were hectic days tha... Continue Reading
1 comment
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Shelby
July 13, 2020
Sandy & family, I am so sorry to hear about Tony. May God Bless you all during this very difficult time. Shelby & Johnny Carroll
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Corey Leon
July 8, 2020
It is very difficult to express how much we will miss Tony. Tony was one of the first people I met when I started working with Theresa Reid (now Aranda, AKA Shark Bait) at BI Nutraceuticals. I had just starting working in botanical purchasing and had never seen such a b... Continue Reading
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Amy Ishikawa
July 8, 2020
I'm saddened to hear this and my deep condolences to the family. I feel extremely blessed to have known Mr. Tony Hayes. He was such a good man. My greatest memory of Tony was going on the Pontoon boat and learning how to detect fish on the radar. He also gave me a bo... Continue Reading
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Nat Shaw
July 7, 2020
I'm sorry to hear about Tony. He was a good man who was able to help others. Nat Shaw
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Julia Boone
July 7, 2020
Sending you and your family lots of love, solace and strength Casey. - Love, Julia, Mike, Robbie and Ella (and Daisy, Piper, Sausage and Bob :-))

1 memorial tree was planted in memory of Anthony "Tony" John Hayes.

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Charlotte Hankins
July 7, 2020
God bless you SANDY, J jOSH, CASEY , NOEL.......MY HEART BREAKS FOR YOU....