Terry Richard Hayes, age 76 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Friday evening, July 23, 2021 at Nella`s Nursing Home at Crystal Springs, Elkins WV. He was born Sunday, October 22, 1944 at Des Moines, IA a son of the late Forest Gayle and Edna Belle Squire Hayes. On August 20, 1967 at Toledo, OH he was married to the former Susan Starks, who survives. Also surviving are one son, David Hayes and wife Emily of Luckey, OH; one daughter, Rachel Hayes of Elkins; and six grandchildren, Alexander Mach, Heidi Mach, Noelle Hayes, Matthew Hayes, Isabelle Hayes and Savannah Gannon. Preceding him in death is one brother, Robert William Hayes. He attended the schools of San Antonio, TX, and did his undergraduate work at New Mexico State University. He received a Master’s Degree from Denver University. He did some post graduate work at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and received his Masters of Fine Arts Degree from West Virginia University. He was a Professor and the Chairman of Theatre Arts at Davis & Elkins College. He was an active member of Friends of Fort Liberte’. He fulfilled his childhood dream of being a Train Engineer for the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad for twenty years. He loved his grandchildren dearly and his favorite thing of all was having all six grandchildren together at the same time. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 4 to 6 PM, Thursday. On Friday, July 30, 2021, Mr. Hayes will be moved to the Elkins Alliance Church, where Final Rites will be conducted at 10:00 AM. The Rev. Cyril Johnston, Pastor Brice Payne and the Rev. Linda Roberts will officiate and interment will follow at the Mountain State Memorial Gardens at Gilman, WV.