Richard Gerard Hayden, Sr. 76

Published 8:14 am Monday, June 30, 2025

Richard Gerard Hayden, Sr. 76, passed away Thursday, June 26, 2025. Richard was born May 19, 1949 in Owensboro, Kentucky, one of 13 children of the late Charles Simeon and Mary Pauline Wethington Hayden, Jr. He and his wife, Elaine, were married December 29, 2004.
Richard was a member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church; he graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1967 and joined the United States Navy. He was stationed in Holy Loch Scotland and served on the USS Simon Lake.
Richard was an outdoorsman, over many years and several states, he harvested 113 Turkey. He enjoyed shooting trap and sporting clays and was Top Gun at Deer Creek Lodge in Sebree, Kentucky. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, horses and loved being a part of his church.
Survivors including his wife Elaine, his three children, Richard “Rick” Gerard Hayden, Jr. (Heather), Nicole (Joey) Hodskins, Melanie Hopgood, five grandchildren, Michael Hayden, Holly (John) Tingler, Matthew Biggs, Peyton Hopgood, Jacob Hodskins, two great-grandchildren, Greyson Tingler, Corinn Hayden, and ten siblings, Joan Zink (Jim Parker), Carolyn Poston, Anna Marie Walker, P.J. (Sarah) Hayden, Imelda (Jay) Kelly, Lucy (Rich) Casabella, Marilyn Mercer, David (Paula) Hayden, Donnie Hayden and Karen Hayden.
In addition to his parents, Richard was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Cody Richard and Bradley Joseph Hodskins, two brothers, Charles Simeon Hayden III, James P. Hayden, and three brothers – in – law, Joe Zink, Lee Poston and Frank Mercer.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, July 5, 2025 at Perryville Community Church with Pastor Dean Carpenter and Pastor Doug Lester officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m., Saturday morning also at Perryville Community Church.
Honorary pallbearers are Richard’s grandchildren, Richard Young, Charlie Lowther, Joey Hodskins. and Wes Winchell.
The Hayden Family would like to extend a special thank you to Drs. Alfred Kokwaro, Brian Ellis, and Gary Grigsby.
Services are under the direction of Walden Funeral Home.